Acute nasopharyngitis

Acute nasopharyngitis is an infectious inflammatory disease of the nasopharynx. The disease is easily treatable if it is started on time. Specific therapy to date does not exist, so it is symptomatic.

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Causes of the acute nasopharyngitis

The main cause of this disease is a wide variety of infections. In this case, the most common pathogens are: streptococci, rhinovirus, pneumococcus and staphylococci.

It is also worth paying attention to some predisposing factors:

1. Curvature of the septum of the nose.
2. The growth of adenoids.
3. Subcooling the whole organism.
4. Injuries of the nasal mucosa.
5. Hypovitaminosis.
6. Poor ecological situation.
7. Weak immunity.
8. Smoking.

Acute nasopharyngitis may be one of the symptoms of an allergy. It is usually caused by allergens such as: pet hair, dust (particularly book), pollen of flowers, food allergens.

[4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

Pathogenesis

Nasopharyngitis begins suddenly, with the development of an acute clinical picture: the patient's body temperature rises sharply (37.5-38 degrees), there is a swelling in the throat, a headache, a nose is laid, it becomes difficult to swallow, nasal breathing is difficult, a runny nose appears. Also, acute nasopharyngitis is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the nasopharynx. It can be burning, dryness, tingling, congestion of mucus, which can be difficult to get out of the nasopharynx. Sometimes the patient may have pain in the back of the head. Because of shortness of breath, a person begins to nasalize.

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Symptoms of the acute nasopharyngitis

Nasopharyngitis can be divided into many different species according to the etiologic factor: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, traumatic (if a foreign body or surgical intervention has entered the nasopharynx), allergic, caused by irritant factors.

If the disease has a chronic form, then it is usually classified not by the etiological sign, but by the way that pathological processes are present on the mucosa. Here it is necessary to distinguish: catarrhal (or simple) nasopharyngitis, hypertrophic and subatrophic (or atrophic) nasopharyngitis. Sometimes these kinds of one disease can be combined.

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Acute nasopharyngitis in children

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

1. Severe stuffiness of the nose.
2. Swelling and redness of the nasal mucosa.
3. Detachable on the back wall of the nasopharynx has a viscous consistency.
4. Nasal breathing is difficult.
5. The sense of smell is broken.
6. There may be a decrease in hearing, as well as a pain in the ears.
7. Headache.

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Acute nasopharyngitis in adults

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

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Acute nasopharyngitis in pregnancy

Acute nasopharyngitis in combination with a cough during pregnancy, usually occurs due to the effects 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. Pershenie, excessive dryness and severe discomfort in the throat, especially during swallowing.
2. High body temperature.
3. Cervical lymph nodes increase and hurt.
4. The posterior wall of the pharynx turns red and swells.
5. The voice begins to wheeze.

At pregnancy it is necessary to be afraid 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 later - to fetal hypoxia. That's why, if you notice the first symptoms of the disease, immediately consult with your 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 a slight discomfort in the nasopharynx.
2. In the second stage, a large amount of serous discharge begins to be released.
3. The third stage is different in that the separated becomes purulent.

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Complications and consequences

The most dangerous complications after acute nasopharyngitis are autoimmune diseases due to a cross-reacting immune response to the antigens of the pathogen (most commonly streptococcus) due to their similarity to certain components of human tissues. They can appear due to the fact that the body becomes more sensitive to different viruses and microbes.

Undoubtedly, the disease itself is not considered serious or serious, but its consequences can be severe. The greatest danger is in the nasopharyngitis, which was caused by streptococci. They often lead to purulent or purulent complications:

1. Nongovernmental complications can be: rheumatism and inflammation of the kidneys.
2. Purulent complications are: peritonsillar abscess, zaglugal abscess.

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Diagnostics of the acute nasopharyngitis

In order to diagnose a physician collects anamnesis data and conducts a survey on the subject of patient complaints. First, the specialist conducts a full examination of the nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity.

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

To select the appropriate treatment, a microbiological study of the nasopharyngeal washings is also conducted, which will help to understand which causative agent led to the disease, and what antibacterial agents will act on it best.

If nasopharyngitis develops against an allergic reaction, it is necessary to identify allergens with provocative samples.

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Analyzes

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

1. General blood test (hemoglobin, leukocyte formula), acute phase parameters (COE, C-reactive protein, ASL-O antistreptolysin).
2. Provocative tests - used to detect allergens in an allergic reaction. This is the method of etiological diagnosis. It is based on the reproduction of allergies by introducing allergens into the shock organ.
3. Microbiological studies of swabs from the nasopharynx - help to understand what kind of antibacterial drug can be used in treatment, as well as which pathogen became the cause of the disease.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Usually, acute nasopharyngitis can be diagnosed with rhinoscopy and pharyngoscopy.

Rhinoscopy is an informative method for analyzing the nasal mucosa. To date, there are several separate methods for rinsoscopy, but usually only the anterior one is performed. It allows you to fully view the front of the nasal cavity, the lower passage and the septum of the nose.

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

Pharyngoscopy is a technique for examining the pharynx with a nasopharyngeal mirror and spatula under artificial lighting. It helps to better examine the tongue, tonsils on the palate and the posterior part of the pharyngeal wall.

Differential diagnosis

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

Treatment of the acute nasopharyngitis

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

In the event that the disease causes bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed. Usually, therapy also includes various sprays and drops.

If there is a violation of respiratory function, it is necessary to use vasoconstrictive drugs. But they must be taken very carefully and not longer than one week.

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

To reduce pain in the throat, it is recommended to rinse it with decoctions of herbs or make inhalers.

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

Medications

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

The drug has no side effects, so it can be used even during pregnancy or lactation. Contraindicated with individual intolerance of components.

Anaferon. Antiviral and immunomodulating drug. It takes 1 tablet every half hour (during the first two hours after the onset of symptoms), and then during the first day of the disease, 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. Do not use in the first month of life, as well as with intolerance of the drug.

Nazivin. Localized vasoconstrictor. Introduced intranasal by 1-2 drops of adults (children after 6 years) in each pass twice a day. Do not use the product for more than 5 days.

The active ingredient is oxymetazoline hydrochloride. Among the side effects can be identified: burning and dryness on the mucous membrane of the nose, the appearance of sneezing, insomnia, headache, fatigue, nausea, tachycardia. Contraindicated in atrophic rhinitis, zakratougolnoy glaucoma, individual intolerance and in childhood (up to six years).

Protargol 3%. Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent preparation with silver. Produced in the form of an aqueous solution. Bury 3-5 drops in each nostril to children and adults twice a day.

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

Physiotherapeutic treatment

1. Ultraviolet radiation from the nose or UV is a fairly simple and quick procedure. This technique is based on quartz nasal passages. Usually only 5 procedures are necessary for complete recovery. In this case, the first quartz session is carried out for only one minute. Then the duration should be increased. The maximum time is 5 minutes.
2. UHF nose - a popular method of electrotherapy, which is based on the impact on the sick body of the ultrahigh-frequency electromagnetic field.

Alternative treatment

1. Propolis is one of the most popular methods of alternative treatment. It helps to quickly get rid of the symptoms of nasopharyngitis and laryngitis. For use, propolis must be rinsed and crushed. Then fall asleep in cold water (250 ml). Wait until the impurities and wax come up and separate propolis, which remained at the bottom. Pour 30 g of pure propolis 100 ml of 96% alcohol and insist for a week. From time to time, shake the bottle. Pass through the paper filter, add there glycerine and peach oil. Lubricate the nasal mucosa once a day for 10 days.
2. To treat a severe cough with acute nasopharyngitis, you can use mukaltin. Take three tablets of the drug and dissolve in 100 ml of milk. Add 2 drops of iodine. Milk should be warm. Take a drink in the evening for one glass.
3. Sea salt is perfect for treating the disease even during pregnancy. Dissolve one tablespoon of sea salt in a half liter of water (heat it beforehand to 36 degrees). This solution can gargle five to six times a day for five days.

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Herbal Treatment

1. Take the fruits of fennel, the roots of the cottonwood, the bark of the oak and the roots of the althea, and the leaves of the sage. This all must be mixed and well crushed (you can use a coffee grinder). In the thermos, put two tablespoons of the mixture and fill the floor with a liter of boiling water. Let the tincture stay the whole night, and in the morning it can be filtered and used. Rinse your throat 2-3 times a day.
2. Take the leaves of eucalyptus, chamomile flowers, sage leaves, pine buds, mint, thyme, elecampane roots. Mix all this and grind it well. Just put two tablespoons of the mixture in the thermos, fill the floor with a liter of boiling water. Insist all night, then strain. Drink 2-3 times a day for half a glass.
3. Take St. John's wort, celandine, leaves of sage and oregano, cones of hops. Mix and grind all ingredients. In the thermos, put two tablespoons of the mixture, fill the floor with a liter of boiling water. Insist the night and then strain. Drink two or three times a day for half a glass.

Homeopathy

1. Aconite - a homeopathic drug, which is prescribed for redness in the throat, acute nasopharyngitis, burning in the pharynx. It helps if the disease has occurred suddenly due to hypothermia in a strong wind. Also removes the heat of the body.
2. Argentum nitrikum - except nasopharyngitis is also prescribed for hoarseness, loss of voice, stitching pains in the throat.
3. Apis - with swelling in the throat, severe pain in the throat, runny nose. Helps to remove the pain that goes into your ears. Removes swelling of the tonsils, reduces body temperature.

Principles of treatment of acute nasopharyngitis during pregnancy

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

1. Try to talk less to keep your throat in a comfortable state.
2. Do not eat salty, acidic, smoked and spicy dishes, as well as carbonated drinks.
3. Drink plenty of warm liquid, in particular, compotes, fruit drinks, tea, milk with honey.
4. Moisten the air in the house and ventilate the rooms.

As a rule, treatment consists of such methods:

1. Rinse throat with special decoctions of medicinal herbs.
2. Use of solutions of antiseptics.
3. Inhalations with needles, eucalyptus oil, melissa and mint.
4. The use of antiseptic tablets ("Tantum Verde", "Faringopils", "Lizobakt", "Bioparox").
5. To reduce body temperature, drugs with paracetamol are used.

Among the main alternatives for the treatment of acute nasopharyngitis in pregnancy should be allocated propolis, honey, garlic.

Prevention

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

1. So that there is no dehydration, try to drink more.
2. Be sure to wash your hands before eating and after walking outside.
3. Try to avoid smog, smoke.
4. Do not smoke.
5. Try to avoid contact with patients.

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Forecast

Usually, if the diagnosis was made correctly and the patient adheres to all the doctor's recommendations, relief comes quickly enough.

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