Fungal sore throat

Fungal tonsillitis (candidal tonsillitis) is an infectious and inflammatory disease caused by yeast-like fungi Candida albicans or Leptotryx buccalis in symbiosis with pathological cocci.

As a result of infection, the patient experiences changes in the oropharynx: the pharyngeal ring and palatine tonsils become red due to the inflammatory process, and are also covered with a white coating due to the proliferation of the fungal pathogen.

It should be noted that the incidence of fungal tonsillitis has increased significantly in recent decades and occurs in both adults and children. Often, such tonsillitis accompanies other diseases (ARI, flu) and develops as a result of long-term antibacterial treatment, which caused general dysbacteriosis, against the background of weakened immunity, when the body's defenses are reduced, and it cannot cope with pathogenic microflora (in this case, yeast-like fungi) on its own.

Fungal tonsillitis, or pharyngomycosis, is dangerous for the following categories of people:

• people suffering from oral diseases;
• newborn children whose immune system is very weakened;
• lovers of fasting methods and various diets;
• people with bad habits: a tendency towards alcoholism, drugs, as well as HIV-infected people;
• people who have been using dentures for a long time.

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Causes of fungal sore throat

Fungal tonsillitis is a specific type of tonsillitis and develops as a result of dysbacteriosis, which is essentially the main cause of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to treat, first of all, dysbacteriosis, which occurs as a result of any changes in the body, for example, changes in nutrition, long-term use of antibiotics, immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, or an unnoticeable course of the inflammatory process. All these factors provoke a weakening of the immune system.

The causes of fungal tonsillitis may be hidden in immunodeficiency states of the body, vitamin deficiencies, hypovitaminosis, and chronic tonsillitis. According to medical data, more than 50% of people who suffer from chronic tonsillitis have fungal tonsillitis. In addition, the development of fungal tonsillitis is facilitated by past severe diseases, as a result of which the composition of the microflora changes. The disease is caused by specific infectious agents (fungi, spirochetes, etc.).

General symptoms of fungal tonsillitis are usually not expressed, or are expressed very weakly. Additional medical examinations are needed to clarify the diagnosis. In particular, during pharyngoscopic examination, it is possible to detect a point white or yellowish coating on the tonsils, which sometimes spreads to the mucous membrane of the tongue and cheeks. Using a bacteriological study of fungal tonsillitis, it is possible to detect the presence of yeast-like fungi Candida in the oral cavity.

Treatment of fungal tonsillitis is carried out by using modern antifungal antibiotics and pharmacological sprays, rinsing the tonsils with antiseptic solutions, and also using general strengthening therapy.

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Symptoms of fungal sore throat

Fungal tonsillitis often proceeds asymptomatically, and the person does not feel any serious changes in the form of a sharp increase in temperature or severe pain in the throat, as is the case with acute tonsillitis. In some cases, the patient may experience weakness in the body, as well as headaches against the background of general malaise. A slight increase in the size of regional lymph nodes without painful sensations is observed.

Symptoms of fungal tonsillitis, which are among the most typical:

• the appearance of a white or yellow-white coating in the throat (on the tonsils, tongue, cheeks, palate);
• bad breath;
• discomfort in the throat: irritation and mild pain when swallowing;
• change in taste sensations.

It is important to diagnose fungal tonsillitis in a timely manner, since without proper treatment the fungus can spread throughout the entire oral cavity, which is indicated by the appearance of plaque not only on the tonsils, but also on the tongue, cheeks, and gums. Due to the development of fungal tonsillitis, a decrease in the sensitivity of taste buds is often noted. In addition, when removing fungal plaque, the oral mucosa may bleed. It is important to start treatment in a timely manner so that in a severe case the infection does not spread to the esophagus.

Fungal tonsillitis in children

Fungal tonsillitis is quite common in newborns and young children. This is explained by the fact that the immune system of a small child is poorly formed and is easily susceptible to various infections. They can be caused even by those microorganisms and bacteria that will not cause any harm to adults. The causative agents of fungal tonsillitis in children are such types of yeast-like fungi as Candida Albicans, much less often - Candida Tropicalis and Candida Glabrata.

Fungal tonsillitis in children usually occurs without any special symptoms. They can be detected visually. The disease manifests itself in the form of a white or yellow-white coating in the child's oral cavity (including the mucous membrane of the cheeks, gums and tongue), which can be easily removed. In addition to this symptom, fungal tonsillitis can cause capriciousness and irritability: the child becomes more capricious due to the presence of pain in the throat.

A newborn becomes especially capricious during breastfeeding because it hurts to swallow milk. In addition, the child can easily infect the nursing mother with fungal tonsillitis. There are cases when the disease does not respond to treatment for a long time, since it is constantly transmitted from the baby to the mother and back. If infection occurs, the nursing mother will notice itching and redness of the skin, as well as pain in the nipple area. That is why it is so important to detect the disease in time to begin intensive treatment.

Diagnosis of fungal tonsillitis

Fungal tonsillitis, in addition to examination of the throat (pharyngoscopy), requires special medical diagnostics to determine the main pathogen. If symptoms of this disease are detected, it is necessary to contact a medical center for a medical examination and bacteriological culture.

Fungal tonsillitis is diagnosed by bacteriological examination of a smear taken from the pharynx. For analysis, a plaque is taken, in which the presence of yeast-like fungi of the Candida Albicans type is determined. Sometimes a blood test may be required, as well as a diagnostic puncture. In general, the diagnosis of fungal tonsillitis is based on the results of a microscopic examination and the detection of the causative fungus. Skin tests with fungal allergens can also be used to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Ineffective self-treatment of fungal tonsillitis, as well as untimely visit to an ENT doctor, can result in serious complications for the patient. Among them, we can highlight the prevalence of fungal infection throughout the oral cavity and esophagus, and in severe cases - bleeding from the tonsils, swelling of the larynx, abscesses and phlegmon.

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Treatment of fungal tonsillitis

Fungal tonsillitis requires a special approach to treatment. First of all, you should stop taking antibiotics that caused dysbacteriosis. With long-term use of antibacterial drugs to prevent fungal tonsillitis, it is necessary to simultaneously prescribe nystatin or fluconazole in prophylactic doses. In addition, to restore the normal microflora of the body, the patient should include fermented milk products, tonics and vitamins in the diet.

Treatment of fungal tonsillitis consists of the following stages:

• taking antiseptic antifungal drugs (Miramistin, Hexoral);
• irrigation of the throat with a solution of iodinol, povidone iodine or chinosol;
• treatment of affected areas with iodinol, 5% silver nitrate solution, Lugol's solution, or 2% methylene blue or 2% gentian violet;
• consumption of large doses of vitamins B and C;
• taking immunostimulating drugs;
• ultraviolet irradiation of the palate and tonsils.

Quite effective is treatment with Itraconazole, an antifungal agent that destroys the fungus, thereby preventing the spread of dangerous infection throughout the body. In severe cases of fungal tonsillitis, intravenous administration of the drug Fluconazole is used, and patients with advanced HIV infection may be prescribed such a potent drug as Amphotericin.

Home remedies include gargling a throat affected by a fungal infection with a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar. It is necessary to drink liquids in large quantities, and include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Inhalations and compresses will help relieve a sore throat.

You can also use an infusion of Kalanchoe or propolis to gargle. In order for such gargles to give the desired effect, you need to carry out the procedures three times a day for 5 days. For this purpose, you can also use honey mixed with lemon juice and diluted with warm water. As a means for gargling the affected throat, use a decoction of medicinal plants: St. John's wort, string, chamomile, horsetail grass, wild pansy flowers and pine bud flowers. Mix the ingredients, pour boiling water over them and leave for 2-3 hours.

In order for the treatment of fungal tonsillitis to be effective, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. A competent approach from a medical specialist is the right step towards a quick recovery.

How to treat fungal tonsillitis?

Fungal tonsillitis is most often caused by taking antibacterial drugs or corticosteroids. To get rid of this disease, first of all, you should adjust the dosage of the antibiotic or select its analogue. It may also be necessary to completely cancel the antibacterial drug. To treat fungal tonsillitis, you need to use general strengthening therapy, vitamin therapy, and immunotherapy in combination. In most cases, rinsing the affected tonsils with solutions of antifungal agents is used - nystatin, levorin or chinosol.

When symptoms of fungal tonsillitis are detected, many people ask the question: "How to treat fungal tonsillitis?" First of all, you need to follow the doctor's instructions, as well as use traditional medicine methods, in particular, gargling with decoctions of medicinal plants. Other home remedies for treating candidal tonsillitis include:

• Garlic. Has natural antibacterial properties and a pronounced antifungal effect. Can be consumed fresh or taken in capsules.
• Yogurt (preferably natural, with probiotics). Helps restore damaged microflora, thereby reducing the manifestations of fungal infection.
• Tea tree oil. Add a few drops to a glass of warm water and use to gargle 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes.

In order not to complicate the course of the disease, it is recommended to give up sweets (candies, cakes, ice cream) and sugar, since it promotes even greater reproduction of the Candida Albicans fungus. According to some medical specialists, with candidal tonsillitis, it is necessary to limit the consumption of yeast and soy products, eggs, peanut butter, caffeinated drinks, as well as products containing a large number of harmful food additives. Food, above all, should be balanced, but strict dietary restrictions should not be followed. If, despite appropriate therapy, fungal tonsillitis has passed into a protracted and recurrent stage, surgical treatment is used.

Treatment of fungal tonsillitis in children

Fungal tonsillitis requires special attention and approach in treating children. The course of the disease should be monitored by the attending physician. It should be emphasized that untimely treatment by a medical specialist or neglect of the disease often leads to the transition of fungal tonsillitis to a chronic form, as a result of which various complications may be observed. Basically, such complications are associated with disruption of the internal organs (heart, kidneys, lungs, possibly the development of rheumatism, etc.).

Treatment of fungal tonsillitis in children, first of all, consists of eliminating the main cause of the disease, as well as following the rules of a balanced diet. Thus, the child's daily diet must necessarily include fresh fruits, berries, vegetables, as well as natural food rich in protein and vitamins.

Treatment includes drug therapy - taking modern antifungal drugs in courses of 10 to 14 days. Most often, Nystatin is used for this purpose: the dosage of the drug for children from birth to 1 year is 125,000 U, from 1 to 5 years - 250,000 U, over 13 years - 500,000 U.

Naturally, each case is individual, so the medications for the treatment of fungal tonsillitis in a child, as well as the dosage of medications, are prescribed by a doctor. In severe cases of the disease, several courses of intensive treatment may be needed.

In addition to taking antifungal drugs, antiseptic solutions are used in the treatment of candidal tonsillitis in children, of which Givalex, Hexoral and Tantum Verde, as well as saline solution and peroxide can be distinguished. In addition, from folk remedies with pronounced antimicrobial properties, infusions of medicinal plants are used - calendula, celandine, sage or chamomile. A positive therapeutic result is given by daily gargling with a solution of lemon juice or fruit vinegar, since the fungus dies most quickly in an "acidic" environment.

Prevention of fungal tonsillitis

Fungal tonsillitis is the result of weakened immunity, so prevention of this disease comes down to strengthening the body's defenses. For this purpose, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, and take care to increase the body's resistance to sudden temperature changes.

Prevention of fungal tonsillitis consists of several points:

• General hygiene measures. In case of fungal tonsillitis, the patient should isolate himself from other family members to avoid infecting them.
• Observance of basic rules of personal hygiene. It is necessary to remember about individual use of dishes, towels, and toiletries.
• Balanced, rational nutrition. Food should correspond to age-related needs and contain sufficient amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In addition, you should remember about vitamins and regularly include them in your diet.
• Timely detection of foci of chronic infection: caries, sinusitis, purulent skin lesions, etc., their competent treatment after consultation with a doctor.
• Hardening of the body. For this purpose, all methods are good: dousing, rubbing, sports training, taking a contrast shower, swimming in the pool, walking barefoot, etc. It is important to remember that such hardening procedures can only be carried out outside the period of exacerbation of the disease.
• Strengthening the immune system. For this purpose, you can use immunomodulators of bacterial origin (Bronchomunal, Ribomunil), probiotics, as well as drugs to stimulate cellular and humoral immunity (Interferon, Timalin, Likopid), vitamin complexes.

In general, preventive methods aimed at preventing fungal tonsillitis and other diseases are a very labor-intensive process. It is very important in this matter to trust the recommendations of a medical specialist and strictly follow his instructions. Only in this case can positive results be achieved.

Fungal tonsillitis prognosis

Fungal tonsillitis occurs as a result of rapid reproduction of yeast-like Candida fungi and is most often caused by prolonged antibiotic treatment, which leads to intestinal dysbacteriosis, as well as malnutrition or improper nutrition, a sharp decrease in immunity. As a result of such negative factors, colonies of pathogenic microorganisms grow rapidly, thereby provoking the development of an inflammatory process in the throat and oral cavity.

To get rid of fungal tonsillitis as quickly as possible, you need to pay attention to the symptoms of the disease in time and immediately visit a doctor. He will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary tests that will help make an accurate diagnosis and choose the best way to solve the problem. Treatment of fungal tonsillitis should be comprehensive, intensive, aimed at destroying pathogenic microflora and restoring the body's defenses.

The prognosis for fungal tonsillitis is favorable in most cases, especially if treatment is started in a timely manner. In patients with a markedly weak immune system, the infection often spreads throughout the body, which can lead to serious complications. Frequent tonsillitis can cause problems with the heart muscle, lead to rheumatism, and also cause problems with the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Fungal tonsillitis should be treated correctly, according to the instructions of an ENT doctor. Uncontrolled self-treatment with home remedies and folk methods should not be used, as this will lead to complications in the form of acute otitis media, paratonsillitis or acute cervical lymphadenitis. Sometimes inept self-treatment of tonsillitis can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland, appendicitis, and the development of chronic diseases.