Streptococcal pharyngitis, also called bacterial pharyngitis, is inflammation of the pharynx caused by bacteria of the genus Streptococcus , mainly Streptococcus pyogenes , leading to sore throat, appearance of white plaques at the bottom of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, decreased appetite and fever.
It is important that streptococcal pharyngitis is identified and treated quickly, not only because the symptoms are quite uncomfortable, but also because of the chance of complications, such as inflammation of the kidney or rheumatic fever, for example, which means that the bacteria has managed to proliferate reach other organs, making infection control more difficult.
Symptoms of streptococcal pharyngitis
The symptoms of strep throat are quite uncomfortable, the main ones being:
- Severe sore throat, which appears quickly; Red throat with the presence of pus, which is perceived through the appearance of white plaques at the bottom of the throat; Difficulty and pain in swallowing; Red and swollen tonsils; Fever between 38.5º and 39º, 5 ºC; Headache; Nausea and vomiting; Pain in the belly and the rest of the body; Loss of appetite; Skin rash; Swollen and sensitive necks.
In general, the symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis appear suddenly and intensely about 2 to 5 days after contact with the infectious microorganism, and may disappear after 1 week, when the infection is treated correctly.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis should be done according to the recommendation of the general practitioner or infectologist, as it involves the use of antibiotics, which should be used according to the indication even if the symptoms of pharyngitis disappear. In the most severe cases, where the doctor identifies other foci of infection, treatment with antibiotics directly in the vein may be recommended.
You may also need to take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, or pain relievers, to reduce throat inflammation, relieve pain and lower your fever. There are also lozenges, which can be used to assist in the treatment and which have antiseptic action and help to relieve pain.
Although it is often difficult to eat due to loss of appetite and pain in the throat when swallowing, it is important that the person eat, preferably with pasty food, as this prevents malnutrition and favors the fight against the microorganism, since food helps to strengthen the immune system.
Check out the following video on how to improve your immune system to fight pharyngitis:
