Purulent sore throat

Probably, everyone is familiar with the condition when the throat hurts, it becomes difficult to swallow, the tonsils seem to swell and increase in size. This is how purulent tonsillitis can manifest itself - an infectious disease that is accompanied by an inflammatory reaction in the palatine tonsils.

The disease can affect both children and adult patients. The prevalence of purulent tonsillitis is more than 15% of the residents of our region per year, with the main incidence occurring in the spring-autumn period.

ICD-10 code

According to the international classification of diseases, acute purulent tonsillitis (tonsillitis) occupies the following position:

• J03.0 Streptococcal sore throat;
• J03.8 Acute tonsillitis due to other identified organisms (additional coding B95-B97 may be used). Exclusion: pharyngotonsillitis of herpes etiology;
• J03.9 Acute tonsillitis of unspecified etiology (ulcerative, follicular, gangrenous, infectious unidentified).

Causes of purulent tonsillitis

The most common cause of purulent tonsillitis is considered to be a cold. Exposure to cold air leads to a contraction of the mucous membrane of the tonsils, which becomes an excellent breeding ground for the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, the reproduction of pathogens of tonsillitis occurs in a short time and very actively.

Often, a factor in the development of the disease is failure to comply with preventive measures when communicating with an already sick person. Using common dishes, towels, inhaling air containing infectious agents: the causative agent of tonsillitis in everyday life easily passes from a sick person to healthy people. Microparticles with the pathogen appear in the air when sneezing, coughing or simply breathing. A healthy person, inhaling these particles, may well become ill. Usually, signs of infection appear from the second to the fifth day after the infection has penetrated.

How is purulent tonsillitis transmitted? Most often, it is airborne, less often - through household items, dishes and other accessories.

Is purulent tonsillitis contagious? Of course, yes, if you do not follow the rules of hygiene and do not wear a protective bandage when in contact with a sick person.

Sometimes a person who has a cold infects "himself": the pathogen can penetrate the throat from other infectious foci. Such foci can be carious teeth, chronic sinusitis, gum disease, etc.

The risk of getting sick increases if a person is over-chilled, has a weakened immune system, or has bad habits: smoking and alcohol abuse.

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The causative agent of purulent tonsillitis

Purulent tonsillitis is in the vast majority of cases an infectious disease caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. This pathogen is found in approximately 60-80% of cases of purulent tonsillitis. The assumption that tonsillitis may be of viral origin has not been fully confirmed. The role of adenoviruses in the development of tonsillitis is currently being studied.

Most specialists are still inclined to classify angina as a streptococcal infectious disease. However, the possibility of purulent angina of staphylococcal and pneumococcal origin is not excluded. There are also descriptions of angina of listerella etiology.

In addition to the listed forms of purulent tonsillitis, provoked in most cases by streptococcal or staphylococcal infection (less often pneumococcal), acute damage to the palatine tonsils (often one tonsil) can be caused by the combined effect of oral spirochetes and fusiform bacilli (the so-called ulcerative-membranous form of the disease).

Incubation period of purulent tonsillitis

The incubation period of purulent tonsillitis can be from 2 to 5 days. Signs of the disease appear quite quickly, and one of the first signs, as a rule, is chills, followed by high fever.

Another characteristic feature is that the pain in the throat area gradually increases, starting to bother from a simple feeling of discomfort to severe pain, associated or not associated with swallowing.

The incubation period for purulent tonsillitis is almost the same in duration as for other infectious diseases of the nasopharynx.

How long does it take for purulent tonsillitis to pass? If the patient seeks help and begins treatment while still in the incubation period, or at the first signs of the disease, the duration of the disease is significantly reduced. If the patient follows the doctor's recommendations, the disease will subside on the second day of treatment, and on the fifth (maximum - tenth) day it will be possible to return to your normal lifestyle. It is unacceptable to endure purulent tonsillitis, as they say, "on your feet": bed rest is one of the main conditions for a speedy recovery.

If the disease is not treated or treated incorrectly, it can have the most unfavorable consequences.

Symptoms of purulent tonsillitis

Medical experts have identified a number of the most characteristic signs of purulent tonsillitis:

• chills, fever, high temperature (39-40°C);
• increasing soreness in the throat, which intensifies during swallowing movements;
• when palpated, the submandibular lymph nodes are painful and enlarged;
• enlargement and redness of the tonsils;
• areas of pus and white plaque in the tonsil area, which can be easily removed using a medical instrument without damaging the mucous membranes;
• vivid symptoms of intoxication, with headaches, a feeling of weakness and loss of appetite.

Symptoms of purulent tonsillitis can have varying degrees of severity, depending on the form and severity of the infectious process.

Purulent tonsillitis in adults can occur without a significant rise in temperature. In this case, the main and defining symptoms are sore throat, changes in the appearance of the tonsils: redness, swelling of the mucous membrane, pustules and plaque on the tonsils.

What does purulent tonsillitis look like?

The throat with purulent tonsillitis can have different appearances: it depends on the type of purulent lesion.

1. Purulent follicular tonsillitis is characterized by swelling and hyperemia of the tonsils. At the same time, small light or pastel abscesses are clearly visible on them, similar, at first glance, to grains of millet. The abscesses tend to progress, increase in size: sooner or later they open, releasing purulent contents into the pharyngeal cavity.
2. Purulent lacunar tonsillitis - its distinctive feature is the formation of plaque on the tonsils, especially in the lacunar region. Lacunas are peculiar craters that are especially visible on swollen tonsils. Yellowish-white accumulations can overflow the lacunae, occupying the entire surface of the tonsil. They can be removed quite easily with a medical instrument or spoon, but after removal, the plaque soon reappears. If the disease is not treated, the accumulations become dense, forming purulent plugs in purulent tonsillitis.
3. Purulent-necrotic tonsillitis - light yellowish-gray films can be found on the surfaces of the tonsils, clearly visible against the background of healthy mucous membrane. The films have a soft consistency and are easily removed with a cotton swab, exposing the area damaged by the ulcerative process. Such an area can bleed as the necrosis spreads deep into the tissue. If the process is not stopped, it can go beyond the localization, spreading to the gum area and even the tongue.

Frequent purulent tonsillitis can easily develop into a chronic form, in which the nearby lymph nodes, such as the submandibular or parotid, become enlarged. The lymph nodes become dense and painful to the touch. An unpleasant foreign odor appears from the oral cavity.

Purulent tonsillitis in adults

Adult patients suffer from purulent tonsillitis, as a rule, due to a decrease in the protective immune forces, or when the immune system is weakened by other chronic diseases: sinusitis, periodontitis, etc. Provoking factors also include a sharp cooling of the body, poor sanitary conditions at home or at work, poor or monotonous nutrition, etc.

In adults, acute purulent tonsillitis is much more often transformed into chronic. This happens as a result of incorrect or insufficient treatment, since it is adults who, for many reasons, prefer to endure the disease "on their feet", sometimes without thinking about the dangers of purulent tonsillitis.

But in rare cases, chronic purulent tonsillitis occurs on its own. This situation can happen when the infection moves from other nearby foci: the nasal or oral cavity.

Chronic purulent tonsillitis in adults can become a provoking factor in the development of pathologies of autoimmune and allergic etiology: kidney damage, rheumatism, dysfunction of the central nervous system. If treatment is not started on time or is carried out with violations, the risk of complications increases many times over.

Purulent tonsillitis in children

Very often purulent tonsillitis occurs in children. This is primarily due to the peculiarities of the structure of children's tonsils. It is noteworthy that purulent tonsillitis in children does not always begin with problems in the throat and high temperature: often tonsillitis can begin with damage to another nearby organ, for example, with otitis.

The difficulty of treating pediatric patients is that the child's body is much more defenseless than an adult's, so the choice of antibiotics for therapy is not so wide. And the likelihood of developing allergies in babies is higher than in older children or adult patients.

Purulent tonsillitis in pregnant women

Due to decreased immunity during pregnancy, women may develop various infectious pathologies, mostly colds. Depending on the course, such diseases may disappear without a trace, or negatively affect the course of pregnancy. Purulent tonsillitis in pregnant women is one of such dangerous diseases.

According to statistics, more than 60% of women catch ARI, ARVI or flu during pregnancy. And this is despite the fact that all doctors constantly point out that it is extremely undesirable to get sick during pregnancy, that it is necessary to take good care of yourself and your future baby.

If a pregnant woman gets purulent tonsillitis, she faces a number of risks:

• high temperature, an abundance of toxins in the body, a deficiency of vitamins and nutrients, hypoxia - can lead to spontaneous abortion;
• Taking medications, and antibiotics in particular, can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus and pregnancy in general.

All these negative consequences can be avoided if you follow some rules recommended for pregnant women in case of purulent tonsillitis.

• Rule I: at the first signs of a cold, stay in bed, ventilate the room more often, drink plenty of fluids (3-4 l/day).
• Rule II: Do not take any medications without your doctor’s advice.
• Rule III: Gargle with herbal decoctions, but beware of taking them internally without a doctor’s permission.
• Rule IV: Eat more vegetables and fruits, limit your intake of salt and hot spices that irritate your throat.

In such a situation, you cannot do without a doctor: the doctor will determine the most effective medicine for you and safe for the child, and will also help you understand the herbs that are approved for use during pregnancy.

Purulent tonsillitis during breastfeeding

For young mothers who breastfeed, colds and sore throats often become a reason to stop breastfeeding. Intoxication of the body, taking medications - all this negatively affects the quality and composition of milk, in addition, many medications are transmitted to the child with milk, and this is unacceptable.

But if this has happened, then purulent tonsillitis will still have to be treated. But self-treatment is unacceptable here: therapy should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the risk for the newborn baby and the benefit for the young mother.

What a nursing mother can do before the doctor arrives:

• drink more warm liquids, tea, milk;
• gargle every hour, you can use a solution of salt and soda and 2-3 drops of iodine;
• drink and gargle with chamomile infusion;
• if you have a fever, take paracetamol;
• inhale hot steam, boiling water with soda, apply heat compresses to the neck (if the lymph nodes are enlarged).

But the most important thing is not to worry and to see a doctor in time. If the doctor decides that you need a course of antibiotic therapy, be prepared for the fact that you may have to stop breastfeeding for a while. If this happens, do not be upset, continue to express milk until you resume feeding, otherwise it may disappear. Transfer the child to formula for this period.

Types of purulent tonsillitis

According to the nature of the manifestations of the disease, purulent tonsillitis is divided into lacunar, follicular and purulent-necrotic.

• Purulent lacunar tonsillitis - an infectious lesion spreads to the mucous membranes of the lacunae, where accumulation of purulent discharge occurs, which arose as a result of the inflammatory reaction and necrosis of damaged tissues. The accumulating pus goes beyond the lacunae by passing yellowish-white plugs.
• Purulent follicular tonsillitis - an infectious lesion spreads to the tonsil follicles, which is externally manifested by the appearance of yellow nodules with purulent exudate inside on the surface of the tonsils. The nodules can merge, forming an abscess.
• Purulent-necrotic tonsillitis is an infectious process characterized by an aggressive course with negative dynamics, causing the formation of areas of tissue death in the tonsils and ulcerative lesions.

The listed types of purulent tonsillitis can develop both independently and in combination: for example, purulent tonsillitis in adults can occur with simultaneous damage to the follicles and the formation of ulcerative-necrotic surfaces on the tonsils.

Purulent tonsillitis in children can have a peculiar course: one tonsil can be affected by follicular tonsillitis, and the other by lacunar tonsillitis.

In addition, a distinction is made between acute and chronic angina:

• acute purulent tonsillitis begins suddenly, against the background of absolutely normal health, and develops quickly, with an increase in acute symptoms of the disease;
• Chronic purulent tonsillitis is a consequence of an already suffered acute tonsillitis, which was treated incorrectly or not treated at all.

The difference between acute purulent tonsillitis and chronic tonsillitis is, first of all, that in the chronic course there are no acute signs of inflammation, sharp rises in temperature and other symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Chronic purulent tonsillitis is characterized, as a rule, by fairly general symptoms indicating a sluggish inflammatory process: these are pains in the heart, increased sweating, joint pain, general discomfort and constant fatigue. The throat is dry, there may be a constant "scratching" or a feeling of a foreign object in the throat. During the period of exacerbation, the symptoms resemble the acute form of tonsillitis.

Consequences of purulent tonsillitis

Now we will tell you about the dangers of purulent tonsillitis if you do not undergo qualified and timely treatment. The consequences of purulent tonsillitis can be local and general, that is, they can develop locally or affect other organs and systems of the body.

Common complications of purulent tonsillitis:

• rheumatism is an inflammatory process that affects, for the most part, the heart and joints. The complication affects the heart valve system and selectively the joints;
• myocarditis is an inflammatory reaction in the heart muscle, with further possible development of thromboembolism;
• endocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the inner lining of the heart, which can act as one of the manifestations of rheumatism or occur independently;
• pericarditis – inflammation of the pericardial sac and outer lining of the heart;
• pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis - a pathology of the renal system, which can be caused by the formation of protein compounds in the blood during angina, which negatively affects the functioning of the kidneys;
• Septic blood poisoning is the most complex consequence of purulent tonsillitis, accompanied by the spread of purulent infection through the bloodstream throughout the body.

Local complications of purulent tonsillitis:

• abscess formation – the formation of one or more purulent cavities inside the tonsil, which may subsequently require surgical intervention;
• phlegmonous inflammation is a process involving muscle tissue, tendons and peritonsillar tissue;
• damage to the eardrum, mastoid process or middle ear - symptoms of acute otitis. If the complication is not treated properly, the pathology can provoke the appearance of adhesions and loss of hearing function;
• laryngeal edema - swelling of the laryngeal region, if left untreated, can quickly become an obstacle to respiratory function, which can result in suffocation and death;
• The opening of bleeding of the tonsils is a fairly common complication of purulent-necrotic tonsillitis, when the ulcer, penetrating deep into the tissue, damages the blood vessel.

Many experts note that purulent tonsillitis itself is not as scary as its consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to start diagnosing and treating purulent tonsillitis as early as possible.

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Diagnosis of purulent tonsillitis

The diagnosis of purulent tonsillitis can be divided into several main areas.

1. Clinical studies:

• collecting information about the disease;
• external examination and palpation of the neck, ears and back of the head;
• examination of the oral and pharyngeal cavity using a spatula;
• listening to the respiratory organs and cardiac activity.

2. Laboratory tests:

• conducting a general blood test (signs of an inflammatory reaction);
• sowing and isolation of the pathogen culture on nutrient media;
• taking a swab from the pharyngeal and nasal cavities to rule out diphtheria.

Often, a doctor only needs an external examination to establish a diagnosis: inflamed tonsils, characteristic plaque, folds and craters filled with purulent discharge, as well as purulent plugs in purulent tonsillitis - all these are characteristic symptoms of the disease. The doctor often resorts to laboratory methods only to identify the pathogen and prescribe exactly those antibiotics that will best affect a certain type of pathogen. Identification also makes it possible to differentiate purulent tonsillitis from other diseases of the pharyngeal region.

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Treatment of purulent tonsillitis

Treatment of purulent tonsillitis should begin with the elimination of the main symptoms, as well as measures to strengthen the body's defenses. The best support for drug therapy will be a proper diet, drinking regimen, sufficient rest and sleep. Bed rest is mandatory to prevent the development of complications.

The following rules are of no small importance:

• Avoid any physical activity during treatment. Remember to stay in bed;
• ventilate the room where the sick person is located three times during the day and at night;
• eat food rich in vitamins and microelements, without hot spices and sour sauces, with a minimum amount of salt;
• apply warming procedures to the area of inflamed lymph nodes, inhalation treatment.

An important part of successful treatment is drug therapy, which should be prescribed by a doctor after diagnosis. Such therapy includes taking the following groups of drugs:

• sulfonamides;
• antibiotics (for irrigation, as well as in the form of tablets and injections);
• vitamin complexes;
• means for rinsing and lubricating tonsils.

How to quickly cure purulent tonsillitis?

It is no secret that most adult patients want to cure the disease as soon as possible to avoid rush work, to complete urgent matters, etc. But it should be remembered that purulent tonsillitis should not, under any circumstances, proceed "on your feet". No matter how difficult it may be, work and other concerns should be postponed until complete recovery. Do not forget that health is a hundred times more important.

Is it possible to warm up purulent tonsillitis?

Angina at the initial stages of development is quite successfully treated by warming the throat: applying hot compresses, using dry heat. When the process turns into a purulent form and a persistent increase in body temperature occurs, the use of warming procedures in the neck area should be significantly reduced.

You can return to them when your body temperature returns to normal.

So, in what situations should you not warm up a purulent sore throat?

• High body temperature.
• Damage to the skin in the areas where the compress is supposed to be applied (wounds, cuts, boils, allergic rashes, etc.).
• Vascular diseases, including pathologies of cerebral vessels.
• Blood clotting disorders, thrombophlebitis.
• Concomitant acute infections.

In all other cases, warming procedures will have a beneficial effect and help the recovery process. It is especially important to resort to warming when the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes are enlarged: this will improve blood and lymph flow and allow you to cope with the disease faster.

To apply a compress for purulent tonsillitis, all kinds of liquids are used, most often in the form of alcohol solutions. The compress is prepared as follows:

• prepare a piece of gauze or cotton fabric folded several times;
• soak the fabric in a solution heated to body temperature;
• squeeze out excess liquid and apply the cloth to the desired area of skin;
• Place polyethylene or cling film on top of the fabric so that the film extends beyond the fabric by 3-4 cm;
• Wrap the compress in a woolen shawl or warm scarf.

Do not use pure alcohol to apply the compress: the best option is to use vodka diluted to 25-30°. An alcohol compress is most often applied at night or for a period of at least 5-6 hours.

If there is no vodka at home, you can prepare a simple but no less effective saline solution - 2 full tablespoons of salt per glass of warm water. A cloth soaked in the solution is applied to the neck area, covered with film and wrapped warmly. As a rule, the sore throat is significantly relieved in the morning.

Remedies for purulent tonsillitis

For the treatment of follicular or lacunar forms of purulent tonsillitis, medications are used in the form of gargles, lubrications and irrigations of the pharyngeal area. For internal use, salicylic agents, sulfonamides and antibiotics are used, which in some cases (in severe cases of the disease) are also prescribed in the form of injections.

Desensitizing drugs and vitamin complexes are prescribed to strengthen the body and boost immunity.

If purulent tonsillitis occurs against the background of acute inflammation of the adenoids, then antibacterial nasal drops and interferon are prescribed at the same time.

Remedies for purulent tonsillitis must be taken in combination: treatment with any one drug is unacceptable and will not give the expected positive result. Moreover, in the absence of treatment, recovery should not be expected. Remember that purulent tonsillitis is not as scary in itself as complications of the disease can be dangerous.

Next we will talk in more detail about the remedies used to treat purulent tonsillitis.

Antibiotics for purulent tonsillitis

The choice of antibiotic for purulent tonsillitis is influenced by the ability of the drug to act on a specific infectious agent (etiotropy), the characteristics of the course of the disease, as well as the individual sensitivity of the patient's body to antibiotic therapy.

In cases of streptococcal or pneumococcal infection, penicillin-type medications or broad-spectrum semi-synthetic penicillins (for example, ampicillin) are often still used.

However, in some cases, among all possible strains of the pathogen, there may be individual forms that do not respond to the effects of penicillinase-resistant drugs of the penicillin series. In such cases, they resort to using other drugs: cephalosporins, macrolides, etc.

Let's look at the most common antibiotics for purulent tonsillitis.

1. Sumamed is a macrolide antibiotic with broad antibacterial activity, quickly creates high concentrations of the active substance in the infectious focus. In medical circles, it is better known as Azithromycin. It has a detrimental effect on streptococci, staphylococci, gram (-) microorganisms, and some anaerobes. It is inactive against some microbes that are resistant to erythromycin. The drug is taken in a relatively short course, since Sumamed remains in the blood for a long time, continuing to have a detrimental effect on pathogenic flora. The drug is prescribed once a day, preferably on an empty stomach or 2 hours after a meal, 0.5 g (2 tablets) for 3 to 5 days. When prescribing the drug, the patient's sensitivity to antibiotics is necessarily clarified.
2. Amoxicillin is a penicillin β-lactam antibiotic that destroys gram (+) and gram (-) coccal flora, rod flora. It is acid-resistant, well absorbed in the digestive tract. Most often, the drug is used 3 times a day at 0.5 g, in some cases the dosage is increased to 3 g / day. Amoxicillin does not act on bacteria that synthesize penicillinase (a substance with destructive activity to penicillins).
3. Cefazolin is a cephalosporin β-lactam antibiotic that prevents the formation of the bacterial wall. When administered by injection, it has a maximally active effect on the microbial cell within an hour. The drug is used as an intramuscular injection, previously dissolved in saline. On average, the daily dosage can be up to 4 g of cefazolin, with a single dose from 0.25 to 1 g.
4. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, similar in its action to penicillin drugs. The drug has a broad spectrum of activity, but it develops resistance to itself quite quickly. For this reason, erythromycin is often prescribed in combination with other drugs, for example, tetracycline or sulfanilamide series. Erythromycin is taken in tablet or capsule form, up to 0.25-0.5 g at a time, every 5 hours. The maximum daily dose of the drug is 2 g. The drug cannot be taken for a long time: bacteria quickly develop resistance to erythromycin.
5. Augmentin is a penicillin β-lactam antibiotic, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Due to its complex composition, the spectrum of activity of the drug increases, which allows it to be used for various bacterial infections. Adult patients take 1 tablet three times a day. In case of complications, the dose can be increased to 2 tablets three times a day. The maximum single dose of the drug is 1.2 g. The drug cannot be used for more than 2 weeks, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
6. Suprax is a cephalosporin antibiotic containing the active ingredient cefixime. It has a broad spectrum of activity, including against aerobes and anaerobes, gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria. For adult patients, 400 mg of the drug is used per day, in one or two doses. The duration of therapy is determined individually, but not less than 10 days. The drug is not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, as well as to the elderly and people with impaired renal function.
7. Flemoxin is a penicillin antibiotic with the active component amoxicillin. Flemoxin Solutab is used very actively for purulent tonsillitis due to its rapid absorption in the digestive system and complete assimilation. The peak level of the active substance is observed 60 minutes after taking the drug. The tablets have a pleasant citrus taste, they can be swallowed whole, divided into parts, made into a syrup or suspension. The daily dosage of the drug for an adult patient is from 0.5 to 2 g per day. The duration of therapy is 1 week, but this may depend on the severity of the patient's condition, as well as on the susceptibility of bacteria to the active component. Flemoxin must be taken for an additional 2 days after the symptoms of purulent tonsillitis have been relieved. The drug is not prescribed for those with a tendency to allergies to penicillins and cephalosporins. During pregnancy, Flemoxin is allowed for use after consultation with a doctor.
8. Amoxiclav is a penicillin combination antibiotic, the active components of which are amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. An analogue of the drugs Augmentin and Flemoxin. It is produced in the form of tablets, powder for making a suspension, or powder for making a solution for intravenous infusion. Amoxiclav for adult patients is used in the amount of 1 g twice a day, with a maximum daily dosage of 6 g of amoxicillin and 0.6 g of clavulanic acid.
9. Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antimicrobial agent. The drug is used for intramuscular and intravenous administration. Before intramuscular injections, ceftriaxone is diluted with sterile water in the following proportion: 0.5 g per 2 ml, or 1 g per 3.5 ml. No more than 1 g of ceftriaxone should be administered at a time. For intravenous infusions, dilution is carried out in the following proportion: 0.5 g per 5 ml, or 1 g per 10 ml of water. The drug is usually well tolerated, unless there is individual hypersensitivity to the drug.

In severe cases of purulent tonsillitis, the addition or presence of a mixed type of bacterial infection, as well as for enhanced action, two (rarely more) antibiotic drugs may be prescribed simultaneously.

Remember that long-term use of antibiotics can provoke intestinal dysbacteriosis and the development of fungal diseases, so it is recommended to take antifungal medications, as well as agents that normalize intestinal microflora, simultaneously with and after antibiotic therapy.

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What to gargle with for purulent tonsillitis?

For gargling with purulent tonsillitis, the most commonly used solutions are furacilin, 0.1% etonium solution, 0.1% rivanol, sodium benzoate, sage leaf decoction, cinquefoil root, and chamomile. Irrigation with interferon, 0.05% levamisole, and sodium bicarbonate can be used. Gargling is recommended to be done every hour until the pain and signs of inflammation in the throat have completely disappeared.

You can rinse purulent tonsillitis with the following remedies:

• a solution of salt, soda and iodine - 3-4 drops of iodine, 1 teaspoon of table salt and soda per 200 ml of warm water;
• strong infusion of chamomile flowers with 1 teaspoon of salt per 200 ml;
• furacilin solution 1:5000;
• garlic water – infuse 2 cloves of garlic in 200 ml of boiling water for an hour;
• apple cider vinegar solution – 1 teaspoon of real vinegar per 200 ml of warm water;
• beetroot juice with apple cider vinegar (200 ml juice and 20 ml vinegar);
• chlorophyllipt, Lugol's solution, Iodinol, Miramistin, Dioxidin, etc.

Let's look at some of the most popular mouthwashes.

1. Lugol is an antiseptic and antifungal solution based on molecular iodine. It is produced in the form of a liquid or aerosol for treating tonsils. The drug is used up to 6 times a day, optimally 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is from 3 to 5 days. Lugol is not used in case of hypersensitivity of the body to iodine preparations.
2. Peroxide is a well-known antiseptic that inhibits the activity of organic accumulations: protein, purulent and other secretions. Stops capillary bleeding. A 0.25% solution of hydrogen peroxide is used to gargle the throat and tonsils. When gargling, be careful not to let the preparation get into the eye area.
3. Miramistin is an effective antiseptic, affects gram (-) and gram (+) bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes, microorganisms that form and do not form spores, as well as some fungi and viruses. Miramistin 0.01% solution is used for gargling, up to 6 times a day. The duration of therapy depends on the dynamics of the disease. Sometimes a burning sensation in the throat may be observed when using the drug. This is temporary and normal and does not require discontinuing the drug.
4. Furacilin is an antimicrobial agent of the nitrofuran series, destroys most gram (+) and gram (-) microorganisms. In case of purulent tonsillitis, furacilin is used as an aqueous solution in a ratio of 1:5000.
5. Hexoral is an antiseptic, deodorizing and analgesic medicine based on hexetidine. Destroys fungi, gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria, as well as pseudomonads and protozoa. A 0.1% solution is used for gargling and treating the throat, 15 ml 2 times a day after meals. After gargling, it is advisable not to drink or eat for 1.5 hours. With prolonged use of Hexoral, taste disturbances and a change in the shade of tooth enamel are possible.
6. Streptocide is a proven sulfanilamide drug that destroys streptococci, E. coli, pneumococci, meningococci, gonococci and other microbes. The drug is produced in the form of tablets that can be used for oral administration or for gargling. Add a crushed streptocide tablet to 200 ml of warm water, dissolve, and stir. Use for gargling with purulent tonsillitis. If gargling is not possible, it is permissible to simply hold a streptocide tablet in the mouth until it dissolves completely (1 tablet 3-4 times a day). This use of the drug is no less effective, but has its drawback: the tablet has a rather bitter taste, so you will have to be patient. After the tablet has dissolved, you cannot drink or eat anything with the medicine, otherwise its effect will be canceled.
7. Tantum Verde is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug based on indozole. It is produced in the form of lozenges and solutions for gargling, as well as in the form of an aerosol for irrigation. For gargling, use 1 tbsp. of Tantum Verde solution every 2 hours. Do not swallow! The aerosol is used in the amount of 5-8 presses every 2 hours. When using the drug, unpleasant sensations in the oral cavity may occur: this is considered normal and is not a reason to refuse to use the drug.
8. Stopangin is a popular antiseptic used in the form of an aerosol or gargle solution. Contains hexetidine and a number of essential oils: mint, anise, cloves, eucalyptus, etc. Stopangin is used immediately after meals or 1-1.5 hours before. For gargling, use 1 tbsp. of the solution, repeat the procedure about 5 times a day. Duration of treatment is 7 days. The aerosol form of the drug is used to irrigate the pharyngeal area 3 times a day, trying to treat each tonsil. Avoid swallowing the drug and getting it on the eye area.

Tablets for purulent tonsillitis

If we talk about what pills are taken for purulent tonsillitis, then drug treatment can be immediately divided into groups of drugs used:

• antibiotic therapy - at first, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. The main goal of antibiotic therapy is to eliminate and neutralize the infectious agent, as well as prevent the development of complications. The most common drugs include penicillin (benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, augmentin), cephalosporin (ceftriaxone, cefazolin, etc.), macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin). In some cases, it is recommended to conduct a test for the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotic therapy: this way, you can speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of complications;
• antihistamine therapy – used in antibiotic therapy to reduce the body's sensitization and reduce the risk of allergic reactions. The drugs of choice in antihistamine treatment are suprastin, diazolin and diphenhydramine. At the same time, suprastin has much fewer side effects, so it is prescribed more often (2-3 tablets per day for adult patients);
• Antifungal therapy - prescribed to prevent antibiotics from suppressing the beneficial microflora of the digestive tract. It is known that dysbacteriosis, which can occur after a course of antibiotic therapy, provokes not only the appearance of problems with digestion, but can also significantly reduce immunity. And a drop in immune protection, in turn, will provoke the development of pathogenic flora and fungal infection in the body. Of the antifungal agents, ketoconazole, fluconazole, levorin or nystatin are most often prescribed. The first two drugs are the most popular, as they are more convenient to use. For example, fluconazole is used for prophylaxis once a day at 50 mg during the course of antibiotic therapy. Nystatin or levorin - very popular drugs 10-20 years ago - must be used more often: 4 times a day, 1 tablet;
• immunotherapy – taking pills and medications aimed at strengthening the body's defenses. Such medications include echinacea, imudon, immunal, levamisole, cycloferon. Immunity boosting medications are prescribed individually, taking into account the degree of weakening of the body's defenses. Often, multivitamins and complex medications enriched with vitamins and minerals are prescribed.

Inhalations for purulent tonsillitis

Inhalations for purulent tonsillitis can significantly alleviate the patient's condition, but only if inhalation treatment is not independent, but is carried out against the background of drug therapy. Basically, various antiseptic solutions are used for inhalation procedures. Of the simplest, but no less effective solutions, a solution of soda with iodine, chlorhexidine are used. In general, the list of time-tested solutions for inhalation is quite extensive. These can be infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, calendula, etc.), as well as steam from boiled potatoes, turnips, etc. However, there are also special inhalation products that can be purchased at pharmacies.

1. Bioparox is an inhalation agent based on fusafungine, a polypeptide antibiotic. Destroys bacteria, both gram (+) and gram (-), and fungal infections. Effectively eliminates signs of an inflammatory reaction. Bioparox is used for inhalation treatment. Before use, a special nozzle for oral inhalations is put on the canister, which should be inserted into the oral cavity, clamped with the lips and press the base of the canister while inhaling. After the injection, hold your breath for a few seconds so that the agent is distributed over the surface of the respiratory tract. For adult patients, four injections of Bioparox are administered 4 times a day. The duration of therapy is 1 week.
2. Ingalipt is an aerosol containing essential oils, has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Inhalation of Ingalipt is used 3 to 4 times a day, for 2 seconds. The product should be kept in the oral cavity for up to 8 minutes, if possible. The effect of the drug is noticeable not only in the treatment of purulent tonsillitis, but also in stomatitis, bronchitis, laryngopharyngitis.

If purulent tonsillitis occurs with a strong increase in temperature, then it is better not to use inhalation during this period. With the normalization of temperature indicators, you can begin inhalation procedures.

Folk treatment of purulent tonsillitis

There are many folk recipes that speed up recovery from purulent tonsillitis. We will present you with the most common and effective recipes so that everyone can choose the most suitable one for themselves.

• Apply a mixture of fir and eucalyptus oil to the tonsils (using a pipette or cotton swab) up to 5 times a day. If you feel a burning sensation in your throat, don’t worry, everything will return to normal within 15 minutes.
• Fill a glass jar with dried needles and completely fill it with quality vodka with added salt (10 g of salt per 100 ml of vodka). Leave it in a dark cupboard for 1 week, stirring occasionally. This tincture is used for inhalations: dilute 100 g of tincture in 1 l of water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and inhale the steam, covered with a towel, for about 15 minutes. The product can be stored for a long time and used as needed.
• Green pine cones are poured with honey and left for 2-3 months (1 kg of cones per 0.5 l of honey). Then honey is consumed 1 tablespoon before each meal.
• Dilute freshly squeezed carrot juice with warm water 1:1, add 1 tbsp. honey. Use for gargling.
• Squeeze 2 large or 3 small cloves of garlic into 200 ml of freshly squeezed carrot juice and drink half an hour before meals twice a day for 3 days.
• Steam onion peels with boiling water (2 tablespoons of peels per 500 ml of water), use to gargle.
• Bake a large onion and inhale the steam.
• Prepare a mixture of Kalanchoe or aloe juice with warm water (1:1), use for gargling.
• Prepare an infusion: pour 2 tbsp. St. John's wort, 1 tbsp. oak bark into a thermos and add 700 ml of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours, then filter and use for gargling (every 2 hours).
• Prepare an infusion of sage (1 tbsp. raw material per 200 ml of boiling water), use for frequent gargling, while simultaneously taking 100 ml orally three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
• Infuse birch buds in boiling water for 1 hour. Use the infusion internally, 400-600 ml per day.

Traditional methods of treatment have a positive effect on the recovery process. However, one should not rely solely on such treatment. Drug therapy should only be supplemented with traditional recipes to avoid possible and dangerous complications.

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Honey for purulent tonsillitis

Honey for purulent tonsillitis helps to reduce the duration of the disease. There are facts that honey contains substances that destroy streptococcal flora - the source of purulent infection, therefore, for purulent tonsillitis, honey is simply an irreplaceable product.

Due to its rich composition, honey accelerates blood flow through the capillary network, accelerating the removal of toxic substances and supplying nutrients and oxygen to inflamed areas. Honey components strengthen the immune system, tone the body and set it up for recovery.

During the acute period of the disease, a very useful habit will be to consume 1 teaspoon of natural honey after each meal: honey envelops the tonsils, neutralizing bacterial flora and relieving the inflammatory reaction. In addition, it is recommended to add honey to warm tea or milk (up to 40 °C, at a higher temperature, honey loses its medicinal properties).

Treatment with honey may be contraindicated in case of allergy to bee products, as well as for children under 1 year of age and nursing women.

Honey can be used as a stand-alone medicine or in a mixture with other products:

• honey mixed with juice from green walnut peel has an excellent effect. It is useful to add such a mixture to tea or other warm drinks;
• a good effect is observed when gargling with a solution of honey in warm water (1:3), several times a day;
• Mix 1 tbsp. of quality butter with 1 tbsp. of honey, add a pinch of baking soda, heat in a water bath until foam forms. Drink the mixture warm, after or between meals.

Propolis for purulent tonsillitis

Propolis is no less effective folk remedy than honey. However, only high-quality propolis that causes a tingling sensation in the mouth when consumed will be beneficial. If there is no such sensation, then perhaps the propolis is not real.

Propolis for purulent tonsillitis is chewed after meals. One piece the size of a nail is enough for one dose. High-quality propolis eliminates all symptoms of purulent tonsillitis in a couple of days, without fear of developing consequences.

To prepare an alcohol solution, mash 10 g of propolis and pour 100 g of alcohol over it. Keep in a dark place at room temperature for 7 days. This solution can be used for rinsing, for which 10 ml of tincture is diluted with water (1:10). It is also useful to add the tincture to tea (5-10 drops).

Propolis oil has a wonderful effect: 10 parts cocoa butter are melted in a water bath, 1 part propolis (crushed) is added, stirred and cooled. Take 1 teaspoon three times a day one hour after meals and at night.

The best effect is achieved by using propolis and honey in combination.

Lemon for purulent tonsillitis

Lemon for purulent tonsillitis will help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat and stabilize the temperature. However, you should not limit yourself to drinking tea with lemon. At the initial symptoms of a sore throat, you should take a medium-sized lemon, rinse it in boiling water and eat it all at once, without sugar. If this is difficult for you, you can limit yourself to eating ½ a lemon, then after 2 hours - the second half, after which do not eat or drink anything for another 1 hour.

You can also do the following: peel the lemon and divide it into slices (like a tangerine). Every hour, slowly dissolve one lemon slice in your mouth.

Some people cannot eat lemon without sugar. In this case, we can recommend natural honey: pour it over lemon slices and dissolve in the mouth.

What is the secret of lemon's beneficial effect on purulent tonsillitis? Firstly, lemon is known to boost immunity. Secondly, the combination of vitamin C and citric acid complicates the existence of pathogenic flora: even streptococcal infection dies in such an acidic environment.

How to treat purulent tonsillitis in a child?

When developing purulent tonsillitis, the child requires adequate medical care and antibiotic therapy. Small children under 3 years of age should be treated in a hospital under the supervision of a pediatrician. If the child is older and undergoing treatment at home, then he must strictly adhere to bed rest.

It is unacceptable to experiment on a child, testing folk methods and means: as a rule, most of these methods are designed for adult patients. Untimely treatment of children's purulent tonsillitis is fraught with extremely negative consequences.

Why do experts not recommend self-treatment of purulent tonsillitis in children? The fact is that many antimicrobial agents are contraindicated in childhood, and it is more difficult to calculate the dosage for children, but it is much easier to harm a child with improper treatment. Using sprays and aerosols for inhalation in small children is contraindicated, as this can cause laryngospasm.

In addition, babies are simply not yet able to gargle, hold a tablet or solution in their mouth, and local treatment for children is usually limited to external treatment of the tonsils.

With purulent tonsillitis, the child should be offered warm tea with honey or raspberry (currant, cranberry) jam more often. Since it becomes more difficult for the baby to swallow, it is recommended to feed him mashed and liquid warm food: first courses, puree, soufflé, porridge. In all other respects, you should follow the doctor's recommendations and adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen.

What can you eat if you have purulent tonsillitis?

In case of purulent tonsillitis, it is recommended to stick to an easily digestible diet enriched with vitamins. Since the disease is accompanied by a sore throat and problems with swallowing food, the food should be liquid, mashed and semi-liquid, warm (not cold and not hot). It is necessary to exclude products that irritate the inflamed mucous membrane: spices and seasonings, cold and too hot dishes and drinks, alcohol, coarse food.

Priority products for purulent tonsillitis are:

• cottage cheese dishes, puddings, eggs, mashed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower, celery), pureed boiled meat, yogurt, oatmeal, semolina and rice porridge;
• broths from meat, chicken and fish;
• warm freshly squeezed juices, compotes, kissels, jellies, fruit mousses, bananas;
• tea with lemon, milk with honey, herbal teas (preferably currant, raspberry or rosehip tea);
• honey and bee products.

The following products are not recommended:

• bakery;
• canned goods, pickled mushrooms, salted cucumbers and tomatoes;
• chocolate, cakes and pies with cream, ice cream;
• alcoholic beverages;
• carbonated drinks;
• fried and smoked products.

They eat small portions but often. Products for cooking are chopped, mashed, served only boiled or steamed.

It is recommended to drink more warm liquids.

Prevention of purulent tonsillitis

Considering the possible development of adverse effects of purulent tonsillitis, it is recommended to carry out disease prevention. This can be done by following some simple rules:

• Dress for the weather, do not overheat or overcool. Do not consume cold food and drinks in the cold season. Do not swim in cold water, avoid drafts;
• accustom yourself to cold conditions gradually - take a contrast shower, play sports outdoors;
• visit the dentist regularly and treat caries promptly;
• eat a balanced and varied diet, include vegetables and fruits in your diet;
• Do not smoke or abuse alcohol.

If a sick person appears in the house, he must be isolated from the others, and given his own dishes and items to use. Household members are advised to wear gauze bandages and air out the room once every 2 hours.

During epidemics of colds in the autumn-spring period, it is recommended to take complex multivitamin preparations and agents that activate the immune defense (interferon, bronchomunal, immunal, echinacea extract).

Prognosis of purulent tonsillitis

The prognosis of purulent tonsillitis can be favorable if proper treatment is provided. If such treatment is absent or is provided with violations, serious general complications such as articular rheumatism, endocarditis, nephritis or sepsis may occur. Therefore, the outcome of the disease should be predicted with caution, especially in the case of recurrent tonsillitis or chronic course of the process.

Purulent tonsillitis is not a reason to rely on your own knowledge and conduct experiments on the body: self-medication or unauthorized changes to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor will not improve the prognosis of the disease.