Pharyngitis

Throat problems such as pain, burning, a stinging sensation, tickling and a constant urge to clear the throat are among the most common reasons for visits to ENT outpatient clinics. These complaints cause patients serious concern, especially when they become chronic. Yet, to make a very broad generalization, these complaints are most often due to simple physical, inflammatory, tumor-related or psychological causes. The most common cause is inflammation of the pharynx, called pharyngitis. Acute infections may be responsible, but chronic, persistent conditions may also be involved.

In acute pharyngitis, the patient has complaints such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, fatigue and painful swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. What matters is distinguishing whether the pharyngitis is bacterial or viral. In viral cases, fever rarely exceeds 38 °C, throat redness is mild to moderate, and antibiotic treatment is not needed. In bacterial pharyngitis, fever usually exceeds 38 °C and white-gray inflamed tissue is seen in the throat. Antibiotics should be given in treatment.

Chronic pharyngitis is usually caused by non-infectious factors: nasal and sinus diseases (allergic rhinitis, deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, sinusitis, etc.) that can lead to nasal congestion and persistent mouth breathing or to hidden postnasal drip; stomach acid rising up to the throat (reflux); constantly inhaling harmful gases (such as acids and cleaning products); smoking; alcohol; hot and spicy foods; and very hot or cold foods and drinks.

In chronic pharyngitis, the random use of antibiotics usually does nothing but complicate the problem. What needs to be done is to investigate and correct the underlying cause.