Pharyngitis and frequency therapy

definition Pharyngitis :

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat that causes pain, scratchiness and difficulty swallowing. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections and is a common cause of sore throats.

Causes:

Viral infections:
The most common cause, including cold viruses, influenza, adenoviruses and Epstein-Barr virus (causes glandular fever).
Bacterial infections:
Most commonly caused by *Streptococcus pyogenes* (Group A Streptococcus), known as streptococcal angina.
Irritants:
Smoking, air pollution, dry air and chemical vapours.
Allergies:
Pollen, dust and animal dander can trigger an allergic reaction in the throat.

Symptoms:

Sore throat and scratchy throat
Difficulty swallowing
Redness and swelling of the throat
Swollen lymph nodes in the throat
Fever and headache (more common with bacterial infections)
Hoarseness or loss of voice

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on a physical examination of the throat. A throat swab can be taken to detect a bacterial infection, especially streptococci.

treatment:

Viral pharyngitis:
Usually self-limiting, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, e.g. with painkillers, warm drinks and lozenges.
Bacterial pharyngitis:
Antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin are prescribed to treat the infection and prevent complications.
General measures:
Adequate fluid intake, rest and avoidance of irritants.

Prevention:

Regular hand washing to prevent the spread of infection.
Avoid close contact with infected persons.
Strengthen the immune system through a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient sleep.

Worth knowing:

Throat infections are particularly common in the winter months and affect people of all ages.
Untreated streptococcal pharyngitis can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever or inflammation of the kidneys.

Research:

Research into pharyngitis is focussed on developing faster diagnostic methods, improving the treatment of viral infections and preventing complications of bacterial infections.