Acute nasopharyngitis

Acute nasopharyngitis is an infectious inflammatory disease of the nasopharynx. The disease is fairly easy to treat if it is started in time. There is currently no specific therapy, so it is symptomatic.

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Causes acute nasopharyngitis

The main cause of this disease is a variety of infections. The most common pathogens are: streptococci, rhinoviruses, pneumococci and staphylococci.

It is also worth paying attention to some predisposing factors:

1. Deviated nasal septum.
2. Growth of adenoids.
3. Hypothermia of the whole body.
4. Injuries to the nasal mucosa.
5. Hypovitaminosis.
6. Poor environmental situation.
7. Weak immunity.
8. Smoking.

Acute nasopharyngitis can be one of the symptoms of allergies. It is usually caused by such allergens as: pet hair, dust (especially book dust), flower pollen, food allergens.

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Pathogenesis

Nasopharyngitis begins suddenly, with the development of an acute clinical picture: the patient's body temperature rises sharply (37.5-38 degrees), a sore throat, headache, stuffy nose, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing through the nose, runny nose. Acute nasopharyngitis is also accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the nasopharynx itself. This may be a burning sensation, dryness, tingling, accumulation of mucus, which may be difficult to exit the nasopharynx. Sometimes the patient may experience pain in the back of the head. Due to difficulty breathing, the person begins to speak nasal.

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Symptoms acute nasopharyngitis

Nasopharyngitis can be divided into many different types according to the etiological factor: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, traumatic (if a foreign body entered the nasopharynx or surgery was performed), allergic, caused by irritants.

If the disease is chronic, it is usually classified not by etiology, but by what pathological processes are present on the mucous membrane. Here we should highlight: catarrhal (or simple) nasopharyngitis, hypertrophic and subatrophic (or atrophic) nasopharyngitis. Sometimes these types of one disease can be combined.

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Acute nasopharyngitis in children

In children, acute nasopharyngitis occurs in a more complicated form than in adults. At an early age, it often happens that the disease is accompanied by a severe fever, the general condition of the patient deteriorates significantly. In children, nasopharyngitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. Severe nasal congestion.
2. Swelling and redness of the nasal mucosa.
3. The discharge from the back wall of the nasopharynx has a viscous consistency.
4. Nasal breathing becomes difficult.
5. The sense of smell is impaired.
6. There may be a decrease in hearing and ear pain may also occur.
7. Headache.

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Acute nasopharyngitis in adults

In adults, the disease usually occurs in a less severe form. Often, the body temperature does not even rise, so rarely does anyone seek help from a doctor, preferring to treat themselves at home.

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Acute nasopharyngitis during pregnancy

Acute nasopharyngitis combined with cough during pregnancy usually occurs due to the impact of the above-described negative factors directly on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and larynx. The main symptoms of this disease in pregnant women are:

1. A sore throat, increased dryness and severe discomfort in the throat, especially when swallowing.
2. High body temperature.
3. The cervical lymph nodes become enlarged and painful.
4. The back wall of the throat becomes red and swollen.
5. The voice begins to wheeze.

During pregnancy, you should be wary of any infectious disease, including nasopharyngitis. This can be explained by the fact that any disease can affect the development of the fetus. Remember that acute nasopharyngitis in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, and in the late stages - to fetal hypoxia. That is why, if you notice the first symptoms of the disease, immediately consult a doctor.

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Stages

First of all, it is necessary to remember that acute nasopharyngitis has three stages of development:

1. The first stage is characterized by the appearance of slight discomfort in the nasopharynx.
2. At the second stage, a large amount of serous discharge begins to be released.
3. The third stage is characterized by the fact that the discharge becomes purulent.

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Complications and consequences

The most formidable complications after acute nasopharyngitis are considered to be autoimmune diseases due to a cross-immune reaction to the pathogen's antigens (most often streptococcus) due to their similarity with some components of human tissues. They can appear due to the fact that the body becomes more sensitive to various viruses and microbes.

Of course, this disease itself is not considered severe or serious, but its consequences can be severe. The greatest danger is nasopharyngitis, which was caused by streptococci. They often lead to non-purulent or purulent complications:

1. Non-purulent complications may include: rheumatism and kidney inflammation.
2. Purulent complications include: peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess.

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Diagnostics acute nasopharyngitis

In order to make a diagnosis, the doctor collects anamnesis data and conducts a survey on the patient's complaints. First, the specialist conducts a full examination of the nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity.

A general blood test should be performed. It will help to see the full picture of the disease. If the diagnosis cannot be made, instrumental diagnostic methods are used: pharyngoscopy and rhinoscopy.

In order to select the appropriate treatment, a microbiological study of nasopharyngeal swabs is also carried out, which will help to understand which pathogen caused the disease and which antibacterial agents will work best on it.

If nasopharyngitis has developed against the background of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to identify allergens using provocative tests.

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Tests

The most common types of tests that help diagnose acute nasopharyngitis are:

1. Complete blood count (hemoglobin, white blood cell count), acute phase indicators (ESR, C-reactive protein, ASL-O antistreptolysin).
2. Provocative tests – used to identify allergens in allergic reactions. This is a method of etiological diagnostics. It is based on reproducing allergies by introducing allergens into the shock organ.
3. Microbiological studies of nasopharyngeal swabs help to understand which antibacterial drug can be used in treatment, as well as which pathogen caused the disease.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Acute nasopharyngitis can usually be diagnosed by rhinoscopy and pharyngoscopy.

Rhinoscopy is an informative method of analyzing the nasal mucosa. Today, there are several separate rhinoscopy techniques, but usually only the anterior one is performed. It allows for a complete examination of the anterior part of the nasal cavity, the lower passage, and the nasal septum.

There are also posterior and middle rhinoscopy. They are done under local anesthesia. But they are used extremely rarely in the diagnosis of acute nasopharyngitis.

Pharyngoscopy is a method of examining the pharynx using a nasopharyngeal mirror and a spatula under artificial lighting. It helps to better examine the uvula, the tonsils on the palate, and the back of the pharyngeal wall.

Differential diagnosis

Often, differential diagnosis of acute nasopharyngitis is carried out with diseases such as: vasomotor-allergic rhinitis, acute sinusitis and exacerbation of chronic sinusitis.

Treatment acute nasopharyngitis

If the body temperature rises with this disease, doctors recommend bed rest and taking popular medications that have an antipyretic effect. The patient should drink a lot, especially various freshly squeezed and diluted juices, compotes, fruit drinks, teas and milk with honey.

In cases where the disease is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed. Usually, therapy also includes various sprays and drops.

If there is a respiratory disorder, vasoconstrictor drugs should be used. But they should be taken very carefully and not longer than one week.

Some physiotherapeutic procedures can give an effective result. In particular: UFO, quartz or UHF.

To reduce the pain in the throat, it is recommended to gargle with decoctions of medicinal plants or make inhalers.

If the nature of the disease is allergic, drugs with a desensitizing effect are mandatory.

Medicines

Bioparox. Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent for local use. Adults are recommended to do up to four inhalations of the drug (into the oral cavity) or two inhalations (into the nose) four times a day. The duration of therapy should not exceed a week.

The drug has no side effects, so it can be used even during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the components.

Anaferon. Antiviral and immunomodulatory drug. Take 1 tablet every half hour (during the first two hours after the onset of symptoms), and then during the first day of illness, three more tablets at different times. Starting from the second day, take one tablet three times a day until recovery.

No side effects were found. There is a special form for children. It should not be used in the first month of life, or if the drug is intolerant.

Nazivin. A local vasoconstrictor. It is administered intranasally, 1-2 drops for adults (children over 6 years old) in each passage twice a day. The product should not be used for more than 5 days.

The active ingredient is oxymetazoline hydrochloride. Side effects include: burning and dryness of the nasal mucosa, sneezing, insomnia, headache, fatigue, nausea, tachycardia. Contraindicated in atrophic rhinitis, closed-angle glaucoma, individual intolerance and in childhood (under six years).

Protargol 3%. Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent drug with silver. Available as an aqueous solution. Instill 3-5 drops in each nostril for children and adults twice a day.

Sometimes side effects occur when using: dryness, burning in the nose, dizziness, itching of the skin, redness of the eyes, drowsiness. Protargol 3% has no contraindications.

Physiotherapy treatment

1. Ultraviolet radiation of the nose or UFO is a fairly simple and quick procedure. This method is based on quartz treatment of the nasal passages. Usually, only 5 procedures are needed for complete recovery. The first quartz treatment session is carried out for only one minute. Then the duration must be increased. The maximum time is 5 minutes.
2. UHF of the nose is a popular method of electrotherapy, which is based on the effect of an ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic field on the sick organism.

Folk remedies

1. One of the most popular methods of folk treatment is propolis. It helps to quickly get rid of the symptoms of nasopharyngitis and laryngitis. To use propolis, it is necessary to wash and grind it. Then pour it into cold water (250 ml). Wait until the impurities and wax float up and separate the propolis that remains at the bottom. Pour 30 g of pure propolis with 100 ml of 96% alcohol and leave for a week. Shake the bottle from time to time. Pass through a paper filter, add glycerin and peach oil. Lubricate the mucous membrane of the nose once a day for 10 days.
2. To treat a severe cough in acute nasopharyngitis, you can use mucaltin. Take three tablets of the drug and dissolve in 100 ml of milk. Add 2 drops of iodine. The milk should be warm. Take this drink in the evening, one glass at a time.
3. Sea salt is great for treating the disease even during pregnancy. Dissolve one tablespoon of sea salt in half a liter of water (heat it up to 36 degrees beforehand). You can gargle with this solution five to six times a day for five days.

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Herbal treatment

1. Take fennel fruits, cinquefoil roots, oak bark and marshmallow roots, as well as sage leaves. Mix all of this and grind it well (you can use a coffee grinder). Put two tablespoons of the resulting mixture in a thermos and pour half a liter of boiling water over it. Let the tincture sit overnight, and in the morning you can strain it and use it. Gargle 2-3 times a day.
2. Take eucalyptus leaves, chamomile flowers, sage leaves, pine buds, mint, thyme, elecampane roots. Mix all this and grind it well. Also put two tablespoons of the mixture in a thermos, pour half a liter of boiling water. Infuse the whole night, then strain. Drink 2-3 times a day, half a glass.
3. Take St. John's wort, celandine, sage and oregano leaves, hop cones. Mix and grind all the ingredients. Put two tablespoons of the mixture in a thermos, pour half a liter of boiling water. Infuse overnight and then strain. Drink two or three times a day, half a glass.

Homeopathy

1. Aconite is a homeopathic medicine that is prescribed for redness in the throat, acute nasopharyngitis, burning in the throat. It helps if the disease has occurred suddenly due to hypothermia in a strong wind. It also relieves high body temperature.
2. Argentum nitricum – in addition to nasopharyngitis, is also prescribed for hoarseness, loss of voice, and stabbing pain in the throat.
3. Apis - for swelling in the throat, severe pain in the throat, runny nose. Helps relieve pain that goes to the ears. Relieves swelling of the tonsils, reduces body temperature.

Principles of treatment of acute nasopharyngitis during pregnancy

During pregnancy, treatment of nasopharyngitis should be comprehensive. A woman can use some medications (after a specialist's recommendation), and also follow some rules:

1. Try to talk less so that your throat is in a comfortable state.
2. Avoid salty, sour, smoked and spicy foods, as well as carbonated drinks.
3. Drink plenty of warm liquids, in particular compotes, fruit drinks, tea, milk with honey.
4. Humidify the air in your home and ventilate the rooms.

As a rule, treatment consists of the following methods:

1. Gargling with special decoctions of medicinal herbs.
2. Use of antiseptic solutions.
3. Inhalations with pine needles, eucalyptus oil, lemon balm and mint.
4. Use of antiseptic tablets (Tantum Verde, Faringopils, Lizobact, Bioparox).
5. To reduce body temperature, drugs containing paracetamol are used.

Among the main folk remedies for the treatment of acute nasopharyngitis during pregnancy, propolis, honey, and garlic should be highlighted.

Prevention

To date, there is no single proven method that helps to carry out high-quality prevention of acute nasopharyngitis. But to reduce the risk of the disease, you can adhere to the following rules:

1. To avoid dehydration, try to drink more.
2. Be sure to wash your hands before eating and after walking outside.
3. Try to avoid smog and smoke.
4. Do not smoke.
5. Try to avoid contact with sick people.

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Forecast

Usually, if the diagnosis is correct and the patient follows all the doctor's recommendations, relief comes quite quickly.

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