Inhalations for pharyngitis: nebulizer, oil, steam

With the onset of cold weather, many people experience respiratory diseases - a surge in acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, and exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis. Often, pharyngeal inflammation develops, which is called the medical term "pharyngitis". This disease must be treated as early as possible, since it quickly and easily becomes complicated and spreads to the nasal cavity, sinuses, etc. And in order for the treatment to be complete and quickly lead to relief, it is necessary to include additional therapeutic effects - for example, inhalations for pharyngitis will not be at all superfluous.

Many people question the advisability of inhalations for pharyngitis, and completely in vain. Despite the lack of scientifically proven effectiveness, in practice such procedures have a beneficial effect on the respiratory organs, quickly improve the patient's well-being and speed up recovery. And there is plenty of evidence for this. Inhalations are recommended for use in both adult and pediatric practice. In pharyngitis - including. The main thing is to perform the procedure correctly.

Treatment of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis typically requires routine outpatient treatment, but the impact on the disease should be as complete as possible. The basic rules for such therapy are as follows:

• eliminating from the menu foods that can irritate the mucous membrane of the throat (too hot dishes, sour, salty, spicy, rough foods);
• refusal to drink alcohol and stop smoking;
• daily consumption of a sufficient amount of warm liquid (water, herbal infusions, rosehip decoction);
• regular gargling with warm antiseptic liquids (soda solution, furacilin, etc.);
• injection of medicinal solutions into the throat area (Ingalipt, Chlorophyllipt, Tantum Verde, etc.);
• inhalations with soda and oil solutions;
• symptomatic therapy (drugs to normalize temperature, antihistamines, multivitamins, medications based on interferons and lysozyme);
• If the bacterial nature of pharyngitis is proven, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics (for example, in case of streptococcal infection, it is appropriate to prescribe drugs from the penicillin group, or representatives of a number of cephalosporins or macrolides).

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Is it possible to do inhalations for pharyngitis?

Inhalations are considered to be the most accessible and safe method that allows the medicinal solution to get directly into the inflammatory zone. At home, the patient is quite capable of performing steam inhalation on his own – for example, by inhaling the vapors from a hot herbal infusion or from heated essential oils. You can perform a somewhat more complicated procedure using a special modern device called a “nebulizer”. This device works on the principle of spraying liquids to the aerosol state necessary for inhalation.

Inhalations for pharyngitis are not performed if the patient has an elevated temperature (over 38°C).

Indications for the procedure

Inhalations for pharyngitis are prescribed as an addition to the general therapeutic course to alleviate the symptoms of the disease: to get rid of the sore throat, pain, to eliminate irritation in the throat, to normalize vocal function.

It is believed that inhalations have a particularly pronounced effect in the treatment of viral pharyngitis. The procedures are also indicated if the throat is damaged by physical or chemical irritants, an allergic process. Inhalations will be less effective or completely ineffective in cases of damage by specific microorganisms and fungal infections.

• In chronic pharyngitis, inhalations can be used in the catarrhal form of the disease, which occurs with pronounced dryness of the mucous tissues of the mouth and throat. The patient complains of a sore throat and burning sensation in the throat, a feeling of a foreign object inside the throat. In this situation, inhalation will help soften and moisturize the mucous membrane, facilitating the patient's well-being.
• In chronic atrophic pharyngitis, the most severe form of the disease, inhalations help improve coughing and moisten the throat. Atrophic pharyngitis is characterized by the formation of dense crusts of dried mucus, which injure tissues and cause constant coughing. Thanks to inhalations, it is possible to soften them and remove them from the respiratory tract during coughing.
• In case of acute pharyngitis, inhalations are allowed to be used if the disease is caused by viruses (parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, influenza virus, herpes virus, coronavirus, cytomegalovirus, etc.) or bacteria (staphylococci, pneumococci). In case of fungal nature of the disease, inhalations are not prescribed.

Inhalations are especially widespread for coughs and pharyngitis, especially if the cough is dry, painful, and increases the pain in the throat. Such a cough "scratches", "chirps", and exhausts the patient. However, the nature of the procedures, the medicine used and its dosage should be clarified directly with the attending physician. Self-medication will not lead to recovery, but may only worsen the condition.

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Preparation

Before starting inhalation for pharyngitis, you need to prepare everything you need in advance so as not to search for it at the last moment. If inhalation is carried out using an inhaler, it is important to carefully read the instructions in advance.

• The nebulizer must be assembled as indicated in the annotation. Depending on the model, it is connected to the power supply network or batteries are inserted. It is imperative to ensure that the container for the medicinal liquid is hermetically sealed and the reservoir is clean and dry.
• You also need to prepare the medicinal solution: check the expiration date, heat or cool if necessary, add saline solution.
• Before inhalation, the patient must measure body temperature, because one of the contraindications to therapy is exceeding these indicators above 38 ° C. Inhalation is performed neither on an empty nor on a full stomach - that is, approximately 1-1.5 hours after eating. The clothes in which the patient will undergo the procedure should be loose, not tight and not squeezing. Smoking during the treatment is also not welcomed. If you can't stand it at all, then you need to give up smoking at least an hour before the session, and also not smoke for 1-1.5 hours after inhalation.
• If you are preparing for a steam home procedure, you need to prepare a container with hot water, medicine for inhalation (infusion, essential oil), thick fabric (blanket, towel, rug, etc.), as well as a napkin or towel for subsequent wiping of the face.

Technique inhalations for pharyngitis

The simplest and most accessible way to "send" a medicinal solution to the mucous tissues of an irritated throat is to inhale. At home, you can perform a steam procedure, which consists of inhaling steam generated from a hot herbal infusion, from a solution with the addition of essential oil, etc. If you have a special device - a nebulizer - then it is much more convenient to use it. The device is capable of spraying liquid, breaking it into tiny particles.

Nebulizers can be purchased at any pharmacy today. They are relatively inexpensive, and in return you will receive an effective, convenient and durable device that will be useful for any otolaryngological disease.

The main drugs that are poured into the device should be diluted with saline solution in advance.

It is advisable to start inhalations for pharyngitis at the first suspicion of the disease. In this case, there is always a greater chance that the medicine will act more effectively and speed up recovery.

In order for the procedure to be as useful as possible and not to cause a deterioration in the condition, it should be planned to be carried out between meals (not on a full stomach). During the session, breathing movements should be non-intensive and shallow: in case of pharyngitis, the medicinal substance should be inhaled through the mouth.

If the patient performs treatment at home, then most often it is a steam procedure: it is performed by inhaling steam over a saucepan or teapot, covered with a thick cloth on top. The necessary medicinal substance or infusion is added to the hot water that is poured into the saucepan beforehand.

If a nebulizer is used, the patient should follow these rules:

• Before inhalation, do not take medications with an expectorant effect;
• During the session, the device's camera must be in a vertical position;
• inhalation for pharyngitis is performed while sitting;
• if the patient is prone to dizziness, then short breaks can be taken during the procedure (for example, for 30 seconds);
• The average duration of a session is usually 8-10 minutes, but should not exceed fifteen minutes;
• If a mask is used for inhalation administration of medication, it is necessary to ensure that it fits well to the skin of the face (there should be no gaps);
• do not allow steam to come into contact with your eyes;
• the nebulizer chamber is filled immediately before the treatment session, to approximately 2-5 ml; it is imperative to check the expiration date of the medication used;
• to dilute the medicine, use only physiological solution (melted, purified or distilled water is not suitable);
• After each inhalation, if possible, it is advisable to hold your breath for a couple of seconds.

What inhalations are recommended for pharyngitis?

• Inhalation treatment using table alkaline water without gas, or with saline solution - such procedures are especially relevant for dry irritated throat, sore throat and pain, as well as at the first signs of dry cough. In addition, such treatment is recommended to alleviate the condition of a patient with allergic or traumatic pharyngitis.
• Inhalations with furacilin solution have quite strong antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The ready-made liquid with furacilin, which is sold in pharmacies in the form of ampoules, is poured into a nebulizer, having previously diluted it with saline solution in a ratio of 50:50.
• Inhalations with herbal preparations can be performed if your nebulizer is designed for the use of alcohol solutions. The optimal dilution of tinctures (eucalyptus, propolis, etc.) for use in a nebulizer is 1:4. The possibility of performing procedures with alcohol tinctures for the treatment of pharyngitis in children is discussed with the attending physician individually.
• Inhalations with antibacterial agents - for example, with Fluimucil-antibiotic IT, or with Gentamicin - are indicated mainly for patients with exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, in the presence of a sluggish microbial infection. Antibiotics are diluted in accordance with the instructions for the selected medication.
• Inhalations with antitussives and bronchodilators are appropriate only when complications are added to pharyngitis. For example, such powerful drugs as Berodual or Atrovent are prescribed for the development of tracheitis, bronchospasms. If it is necessary to moisturize the mucous membrane and accelerate the transformation of a dry cough into a productive one, the introduction of drugs with an expectorant effect is often practiced. You can use medications based on the active component ambroxol.
• Inhalations with antiallergic substances are performed in case of allergic nature of pharyngitis. Medicines such as Cromoghexal diluted with saline solution speed up the recovery process.
• Inhalations with drugs that increase local immune protection are intended to speed up recovery. Most often, medications such as Tonsilgon, Rotokan, Derinat are used, diluted with saline solution 50:50.

Inhalation with a nebulizer for pharyngitis

Inhalations with a nebulizer for pharyngitis are indicated in the following cases:

• in the acute course of the disease, which is accompanied by a sore throat, dryness, pain in the throat, and enlarged lymph nodes;
• in chronic cases, which are characterized by the sensation of a “lump in the throat”, a dry and persistent cough, and a constant desire to “cough up”.

If you are planning to do procedures for pharyngitis using a nebulizer, you can use the following compositions for inhalation in a nebulizer:

• isotonic sodium chloride solution (also known as saline solution), non-carbonated table and medicinal waters with an alkaline composition (at the initial stage of the disease);
• antiseptic liquids (based on Dioxidin, Miramistin, Furacilin, Fluimucil);
• herbal tinctures based on eucalyptus leaves, calendula flowers, as well as herbal pharmaceutical products (propolis tincture, Malavit, Tonsilgon, Rotokan, etc.).

Inhalation administration with Fluimucil injection solution is often practiced: it is prescribed in the amount of 300 mg up to two times a day, for a course of 5-10 days. The specified dosage can be adjusted by the doctor if necessary.

When carrying out steam procedures, you can pay attention to the following means:

• herbal infusions (for example, with sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, eucalyptus leaves);
• essential oils (juniper, cedar, pine, and tea tree oils are excellent).

The indicated means confidently complement the traditional treatment of pharyngitis, and their use is allowed without fear. Naturally, at the very beginning, it is necessary to exclude the presence of an allergy to any of the components of the inhalation solution in the patient.

Fluimucil-antibiotic IT for inhalation

Fluimucil-antibiotic IT is a unique medicine, which contains both the mucolytic substance N-acetylcysteine and the antibacterial component thiamphenicol. Thus, treatment with the medicine will solve two problems at once: block the development and activity of pathogenic microorganisms, and also accelerate the removal of mucus from the throat and nasal sinuses.

The main indication for inhalation with Fluimucil-antibiotic IT is rhinosinusitis: inhalation administration of the drug reduces the need for systemic antibacterial agents. The antibiotic gets directly into the inflammatory focus.

The use of this drug is also appropriate for chronic pharyngitis. However, the procedure can only be performed using a compressor nebulizer. Devices that operate on the basis of ultrasound are not used for inhalation administration of Fluimucil-antibiotic IT. Such devices destroy the active substances of the drug, so the treatment will be ineffective and in vain.

The standard accepted dosages for inhalation use of the drug for pharyngitis are:

• 250 ml in the morning and evening;
• or 500 mg once daily.

For a dose of 125 mg, 1 ml of saline solution should be added to the nebulizer.

The standard duration of therapy is up to 10 days.

The duration of one inhalation session is from five to seven minutes.

Solutions for inhalation

Inhalations for pharyngitis may include the use of ready-made drugs from pharmacies. For example, among patients with diseases of the throat and pharynx, procedures using furacilin solution are common. In the pharmacy network, you can buy both tablets for preparing a medicinal liquid and a ready-made sterile solution. To obtain a solution from tablets, you need to dissolve 12 pieces in 00 ml of hot water (furacilin is practically insoluble in cold water).

Rotokan is a good remedy for relieving inflammation. It is made from extracts of marigold, chamomile, and yarrow. In addition to pharyngitis, Rotokan is actively used to treat bronchi or other acute inflammatory processes in the respiratory system. For treatment, the remedy is diluted in a ratio of 1:40. The procedures are repeated in the morning, afternoon, and night, and up to 4 ml of solution is used for each session.

In case of pharyngitis, inhalation administration with Tonsilgon-N is indicated. Do not be afraid that this is a medicine for oral administration: many people also use it to fill a nebulizer. The optimal ratio for dilution is 1:40.

If complications join pharyngitis - for example, tracheitis and/or laryngitis, then inhalations with Berodual are recommended. This drug helps to expand the respiratory tract and makes breathing easier.

Hormonal agents, such as those containing Dexamethasone, are used by inhalation only in extreme cases, with severe swelling of the respiratory tract, and only under the supervision of a doctor.

Carmolis for inhalation

Carmolis drops are a herbal remedy that is recommended for use in many diseases - not only of the respiratory system, but also of the digestive tract, nervous system, joints, etc.

For pharyngitis, about 30 drops of the product are used for inhalation administration, adding them to one liter of cooled boiling water: the solution is poured into a container, covered with a thick cloth and the resulting steam is inhaled.

Before the first use, it is recommended to carefully study the composition of the drops, as they may cause an allergic reaction in some patients.

Immediately after the procedure using Carmolis, it is advisable to lie down for a while and rest. The drug contains a small amount of alcohol, as well as ingredients that affect the ability to concentrate, as well as the speed of psychomotor reactions: this must be taken into account throughout the entire period of therapy.

Oil inhalations

Essential oils are best used when performing steam inhalation. When treating pharyngitis, there is no need for the smallest oil particles to penetrate deep into the pulmonary system. In addition, oil inhalations using a nebulizer pose a great danger in terms of developing an allergic process.

Experts allow oil inhalation only with the use of a steam inhaler (for example, WN-118), or a device that can change the diameter of microparticles (for example, Microlife Neb-10).

The duration of oil inhalation for pharyngitis should not exceed a quarter of an hour. Breathing during the procedure should not be deep.

The inhalation itself is performed as follows:

• boiling water is cooled to a temperature of 55-60°C, the selected essential oil is added;
• The patient leans over a bowl of water, covers himself with a thick cloth and breathes in the steam.

For inhalations for pharyngitis, doctors recommend using the following oils:

• fir oil;
• olive oil;
• tea tree oil.

The standard dosage is three drops per liter of water.

Steam inhalation for pharyngitis

A heated medicinal solution (for example, an infusion of a medicinal plant) is poured into a metal container or teapot. The patient covers himself with a blanket or towel and breathes over the steam for 10 minutes.

Most often, 4-6 sessions are enough to relieve the symptoms of pharyngitis.

If inhalation with herbal infusions is planned, they are usually prepared as follows:

• one tablespoon of the selected plant material is poured into 500 ml of boiling water and left under a lid for a quarter of an hour;
• To improve the effect, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the infusion.

The above procedure will quickly help to soften and soothe irritated and inflamed tissues of the throat, restore the voice and relieve discomfort. But, in order not to worsen the situation, inhalation should not be done if a person has a high temperature (exceeds 38°C) or has neoplasms in the nasal cavity (including polyps).

Inhalations with saline solution for pharyngitis

The saline solution known to many is nothing more than an isotonic solution of sodium chloride with a concentration of 0.9%. It is this simple remedy that can moisturize the pharyngeal mucosa, eliminate discomfort and irritation better than many expensive drugs. Inhalations with saline are performed using special devices with ultrasound or compression action. For one session, it is enough to use only three milliliters of saline, and inhalations should be repeated in the morning and evening (you can add a third procedure - daytime).

Isotonic sodium chloride solution is easily absorbed by the sick body and is indicated for almost everyone – both children and the elderly.

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Berodual for inhalation in pharyngitis

Berodual is an active bronchodilator, which is often prescribed by doctors for obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, obstructive bronchitis, bronchospasm and emphysema. Not every problem with the respiratory tract is allowed to use this medication, as it has a number of negative side effects. You should never treat yourself with Berodual: the risk of harming your own health is too great.

The medication contains:

• β2-adrenergic agonist fenoterol;
• m-anticholinergic ipratropium bromide.

Inhalations for pharyngitis using Berodual are indicated only in cases where it is necessary to quickly relieve bronchial spasm, stop hypersecretion in the bronchi - that is, it is used only in emergency cases with difficulty breathing and severe cough. The usual course of pharyngitis does not require the use of the drug.

Soda inhalations for pharyngitis

Soda inhalations are more in demand in the treatment of bronchitis, as soda quickly helps to liquefy phlegm and accelerates its removal from the respiratory tract. However, practice shows that inhaling soda solution vapors has a softening effect on pharyngitis. After such inhalations, the feeling of irritation in the throat disappears, pain is softened, and vocal function is restored.

To prepare an inhalation solution, dilute 1 full teaspoon of baking soda in one liter of hot water. Then the patient leans over the container with the solution, covers himself with a thick cloth on top and inhales the steam for ten minutes. Inhalation with soda is appropriate for dry or wet cough. Experts say that this procedure can be repeated up to four times a day.

Inhalation for pharyngitis in children

Inhalation procedures in pediatric patients are allowed to be carried out almost from infancy, but for this it is necessary to use a nebulizer, since it is safer for the child. Steam home inhalations should not be performed to treat pharyngitis in children under 3 years of age.

In addition, you cannot independently choose solutions and medicines for treating children. This should be done by a doctor: select a medication, determine the dosage and frequency of procedures.

As a rule, for children's pharyngitis, pediatricians often prescribe the following inhalation agents:

• bronchodilators (eg, Berodual);
• mucolytic drugs (Lazolvan, ambroxol-based products, ACC);
• moisturizers (saline solution, alkaline mineral waters);
• antiseptic solutions.

When performing inhalations for pharyngitis, it is very important to adhere to the sequence of administration of medications:

• at the initial stage of the disease, bronchodilators are inhaled, and after a quarter of an hour - mucolytic agents;
• after the expectoration of sputum has improved, inhalations with antiseptics are performed;
• Moisturizing procedures are appropriate at any stage of the course of pharyngitis.

Contraindications to the procedure

Inhalations for pharyngitis are contraindicated if the patient has a body temperature above 38°C.

But these are not all the contraindications, there are others:

• secretion of sputum with pus;
• tendency to nosebleeds;
• episodes of hemoptysis;
• hypersensitivity to the active substance that will be used for inhalation;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• decompensated conditions of the heart and circulatory system, hypertension, recent heart attack, stroke;
• atherosclerotic changes in the blood vessels of the brain, circulatory disorders in the brain;
• severe complications from the respiratory system (third degree respiratory failure, cavernous lung damage, emphysema, pneumothorax).

In any of the above conditions, inhalation should not be performed, even if all indications for the procedure are present.

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Consequences after the procedure

Today, any pharmacy can buy any type of inhaler, including portable and stationary devices. However, the availability of such devices does not mean that they can be used for any reason or even without one. Inhalations are useful and indicated not for everyone and not always, and not for any course of pharyngitis or laryngitis.

For example, if a person suffers from a fungal infection, then inhalations are contraindicated for him, as they can result in unpleasant consequences: the fungal pathogen, under the influence of finely dispersed components of the drug, will spread from the mucous pharyngeal tissues to the larynx and bronchi. To avoid this, do not perform inhalations for pharyngitis without a doctor's prescription.

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Complications after the procedure

Complications after inhalations for pharyngitis may appear in the following cases:

• if there were contraindications to the procedures and they were ignored;
• if inhalations were carried out without the doctor’s consent, without clear indications;
• if the dosage of the medication or the drug itself was selected incorrectly;
• if the patient ignored the rules of preparation and post-procedural care.

If there is a possibility of using other types of local treatment - for example, irrigation of the throat, lubrication with solutions, rinsing, resorption of medications in the oral cavity, then with a mild course of pharyngitis there is no need for inhalations. In other cases, the procedure is carried out without allowing deep inhalation of the inhaled medication: it is enough that the drug gets into the upper respiratory tract. This is why steam inhalations are more recommended for pharyngitis.

Care after the procedure

After each inhalation, you need to follow certain rules, which we will tell you about.

• If inhalation for pharyngitis was carried out using antibacterial or corticosteroid agents, then after the session you need to rinse your mouth with clean water.
• The nebulizer must be washed, cleaned and dried after each session. Special care of the nebulizer is required in cases where the device is used by several people at once.
• You should not forget about cleaning the device's pneumatic filter. Different nebulizers have different requirements for their operation, cleaning and storage. All this should be clarified and taken into account in advance.
• The device should be protected from moisture getting inside the compressor and avoid overheating the device.

Immediately after the inhalation, as well as for 1-1.5 hours after it, you cannot eat, talk loudly and shout, run, smoke, or go outside. It is optimal to lie down in a calm and warm environment for about 30-60 minutes.

Reviews of inhalations for pharyngitis

In most cases, two types of inhalations are used for pharyngitis. These are steam inhalations, which are performed at home using a container with hot liquid and a thick cloth for covering, or specific ones using a nebulizer or inhaler. Inhalers are used mainly in the initial stages of cough, but many doctors advise using them only when the lower respiratory tract is affected: basically, we are talking about quite serious diseases, in which it is very important to deliver the medicine directly to the pathological focus.

In acute respiratory diseases, when the upper respiratory tract is affected, it is more appropriate to use steam inhalations: the same can be said about pharyngitis. Why is steam inhalation considered more preferable for pharyngitis?

A nebulizer helps the drug penetrate deep into the respiratory system – into the bronchi and lungs. There is no need for this in case of pharyngitis: on the contrary, such penetration is undesirable, so as not to bring the infection from the throat even deeper. Therefore, in most cases, if there are no complications, doctors advise using steam home inhalations to treat pharyngitis.

Analogues: what to replace inhalations for pharyngitis

If it is not possible to perform inhalation, then often in case of uncomplicated pharyngitis it is possible to do without such procedures. The following means can act as analogues:

• essential oils (they are used in aroma lamps, or simply inhaled);
• lozenges, sublingual tablets, pastilles;
• throat sprays and aerosols;
• rinses.

The indicated agents are used locally, therefore, just as with inhalation, the active components of the medications are not absorbed into the circulatory system and do not cause serious side effects.

What do doctors say about the use of inhalation analogues:

• Before treating pharyngitis with lozenges and sprays, the severity of the disease should be assessed. If pharyngitis is accompanied by severe sore throat and fever, such drugs are prescribed only as an addition to systemic therapy, which includes oral medication.
• Most lozenges or candies contain coloring and flavoring components that can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, patients prone to allergies should be careful when undergoing treatment of this kind.

What similar remedies for pharyngitis are most often used?

• Rotokan is a dental product that is often prescribed to treat diseases of the oral cavity and gums. Few people know, but Rotokan can be used for pharyngitis: the drug is great for gargling. The gargling solution is prepared as follows: dilute 1 teaspoon of concentrated Rotokan in 200 ml of warm water. Gargle thoroughly, trying to keep the solution in the throat longer. You can repeat gargling up to 4 times a day, for two or three days in a row.
• Fluimucil for inhalation in some cases can be replaced by effervescent tablets of the same name: they are taken by dissolving one tablet in a third of a glass of warm water. The intake is carried out once a day, for 5-10 days.
• Kameton in the form of an aerosol for pharyngitis has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and slight analgesic effect. It is used locally, 2-3 sprays into the throat, up to 4 times a day. The duration of therapy is usually 3-10 days.
• Pharyngosept in the form of lozenges helps eliminate irritation and discomfort when swallowing. The drug is usually dissolved in the mouth one tablet up to five times a day, not earlier than 15-20 minutes after eating. After taking the tablet, you cannot eat or drink for two hours. Treatment can last 4-7 days.

As you can see, inhalations for pharyngitis can be successfully replaced by other drugs. But if the doctor insists on inhalation procedures, then it is not recommended to look for analogues: it is important to follow all the instructions of the attending doctor.

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