How to treat sore throat at home. Treatment of sore throat at home. How to treat a sore throat at home - the most effective and fastest folk remedies for sore throats - recipes from the newspaper "Vestnik ZOZH"

Sore throat or acute tonsillitis is a severe inflammation of the tonsils, characterized by increased body temperature, intoxication of the body and sore throat. Sore throat is a whole complex of diseases in which the inflammatory process has a clear localization - the tonsil area. It is the tonsils that are responsible for local human immunity; their work is aimed at protecting the oral cavity and nasopharynx from infections that penetrate the body. Due to the localization of the inflammatory process in the tonsil area, infectious pathogens do not penetrate the respiratory organs.

In order to properly treat acute tonsillitis, you should know the causes of its occurrence, and also begin therapy immediately after the first manifestations of the disease.

The causative agents of the disease can be:

• viruses;
• protozoan microorganisms;
• mushrooms;
• microbes;
• sudden hypothermia of the body;
• cancer or blood diseases (extremely rare).

Depending on the origin, angina can be either primary or secondary. Primary acute tonsillitis is an independent disease, for example, staphylococcal tonsillitis. Secondary is, as a rule, a symptom of acute diseases of an infectious or non-infectious nature, for example, diphtheria, scarlet fever, syphilis and others.

Depending on the clinical signs of angina, there are:

• catarrhal;
• lacunar;
• follicular.

Lacunar tonsillitis, in turn, happens:

• herpetic;
• necrotic;
• fungal;
• mixed;
• phlegmonous.

Diagnosis of the disease

The most common form of acute tonsillitis is catarrhal tonsillitis, which is often misdiagnosed as pharyngitis. As for the catarrhal stage, it is present in all types of acute tonsillitis.

Diagnosis of catarrhal tonsillitis is carried out as a result of examination of the patient. The main signs of the disease are swelling of the tonsils (significantly increasing in size), sweating of capillaries and plasma, and the release of a transparent mucous secretion.

The patient's main complaints are severe sore throat, lack of appetite, pain when swallowing, which often radiates to the ear area, mild symptoms of intoxication of the body, fever up to 37-38 degrees, and slight enlargement of the lymph nodes.

If the disease is not recognized at the catarrhal stage, then later catarrhal sore throat develops into follicular sore throat - a purulent process, the causative agent of which is microbes. If follicular tonsillitis is not treated or treated incorrectly. Then it will develop into a lacunar form, characterized not only by severe inflammation and the release of pus, but also by a high degree of intoxication of the body.

The most severe consequence of untreated lacunar tonsillitis is its phlegmonous form, which is characterized by the growth of infection in the tissue of the pharynx. This form of acute tonsillitis requires urgent surgical intervention associated with opening the retropharyngeal abscess and removing pus.

It is most difficult to diagnose a sore throat, the course of which is atypical.

Methods of treating the disease

Treatment for acute tonsillitis also varies depending on the age of the patient. For example, in adulthood, catarrhal tonsillitis practically does not require medical intervention, but at the age of up to 3 years, without proper treatment, this disease is fraught with serious complications.

Treatment of sore throat in children under 3 years of age

In children under 3 years of age, sore throat is characterized by symptoms such as redness and sore throat, fever up to 38-39 degrees, and is caused by viruses that cause the common cold.

It is believed that in children under 1 year of age, the occurrence of sore throat is impossible, since before the age of 1 year the tonsils have not yet formed, the inflammation of which is called sore throat.

If symptoms of acute tonsillitis are detected in a child, the following measures must be taken:

• give more liquid (except tea and sour juices);
• in order to reduce body temperature, medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are prescribed, which should be dosed in strict accordance with the patient’s age.

As a rule, no specific treatment is required before the age of 3 years.

If the symptoms of the disease do not go away within 3 days, or if complications arise, the child should be shown to a doctor.

Possible complications

Complications that require mandatory medical examination:

• severe pain in the ear;
• temperature rise to 40-41 degrees4
• abscesses have formed in the throat;
• if a sore throat and fever persists for more than 7-10 days;
• if a sore throat is a symptom of another disease, for example, scarlet fever (the skin becomes covered with a rough rash).

It is also necessary to show the child to a doctor if there are cases in the family where acute tonsillitis caused additional complications on the cardiovascular system or kidneys.

Sore throat caused by microbes or fungi requires treatment with special antifungal drugs (antibiotics). Children under 3 years of age are prescribed gentle antifungal drugs that relieve symptoms of the disease within 3-5 days.

Treatment of the disease in patients over 3 and under 15 years of age

Acute tonsillitis between the ages of 3 and 15 years can be fraught with complications such as diseases of the joints, heart, kidneys and nervous system.

Treatment for acute tonsillitis varies depending on its nature. The first thing to do is to determine the cause of the disease. At this age, sore throat is most often provoked by beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Treatment of such tonsillitis is carried out only with the help of antibiotics (a group of cephalosporins and penicillins). For angina not associated with infectious pathogens, treatment is carried out according to the standard regimen:

• drinking plenty of water;
• bringing down the temperature (if necessary);
• gargling (to relieve inflammation);
• mainly bed rest.

When should you see a doctor?

A medical examination is necessary if:

• the temperature lasts for 7-10 days;
• a sharp increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
• swelling of the pharynx;
• purulent abscesses in the throat;
• severe pain in the ear;
• if antibiotics do not have an effect after 2-3 days of use;
• the occurrence of pain in the heart area, headaches, pain in the right or left half of the face.

Treatment of acute tonsillitis in adults

In adulthood, tonsillitis practically does not cause complications and does not require specific treatment, the course of the disease is favorable, and its main symptoms include:

• sore throat;
• difficulty swallowing;
• increase in body temperature to 38-39 degrees4
• inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils;
• weakness;
• chills and muscle pain.

Treatment of catarrhal tonsillitis does not require the use of medications. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should drink plenty of fluids, gargle to relieve inflammation of the tonsils, and, if necessary, reduce the temperature with paracetamol-based medications.

Gargling with the following solutions gives a good result:

• soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water);
• salt (1 teaspoon per 500 ml of water);
• salt + soda + iodine (1 teaspoon, 0.5 teaspoon, 3-5 drops per glass of water);
• furacilin (1 tablet per glass of water);
• chamomile or sage decoction;
• calendula (1 teaspoon of calendula tincture per glass of water).

Rinsing is carried out once an hour, and all infusions should be warm, but not hot. Rinsing can prevent further complications, as well as strengthen the immune system, even if inflammation of the tonsils is not a symptom of tonsillitis, for example, when the symptoms of acute respiratory infections were mistaken for symptoms of acute tonsillitis.

For tonsillitis caused by microbes, antibiotics are prescribed, which effectively relieve inflammation of the tonsils in 2-3 days.

To effectively treat the disease, it is necessary to remain in bed and lubricate the throat with antiseptics, for example, Lugol. This drug can also be used for gargling.

Acute tonsillitis and pregnancy: how and with what to treat?

Acute tonsillitis in its catarrhal form does not have a negative effect on the fetus, therefore, specific treatment for this form of the disease is not required. A pregnant woman is allowed to reduce her temperature with a drug such as paracetamol.

If a sore throat causes complications, antibiotics of the penicillin group are prescribed, for example, Amoxicillin, which is absolutely safe for both the expectant mother and the child.

Treatment of chronic tonsillitis

The diagnosis of chronic tonsillitis is made if tonsillitis occurs more than 3 times a year and is accompanied by severe inflammation of the tonsils, high fever, suppuration and chills.

In this case, treatment of sore throat should be prescribed by an otolaryngologist, since frequent tonsillitis is provoked by Staphylococcus aureus, which over time develops resistance to antibiotics of the cephalosporin and penicillin group. Only a qualified specialist can prescribe adequate treatment and help get rid of this problem.

Sore throat (acute tonsillitis) is a disease of infectious etiology, characterized by acute inflammation of the elements of the lymphadenoid pharyngeal ring (primarily the palatine tonsils). The causative agents of the disease are viruses (adenovirus, herpes virus, Coxsackie enterovirus), bacterial microflora (staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci) or fungal infection (chlamydia, mycoplasma). Treatment with traditional methods at home should be accompanied by drug therapy and appropriate physiotherapy.

The most common causes of the development of this disease are hypothermia, chronic diseases of the paranasal sinuses, mouth, nose, weakened immunity, disruption of the nervous system (autonomic and central), and traumatic damage to the tonsils. Lack of timely treatment provokes complications: glomerulonephritis, abscess of the pharynx and peripharyngeal space, acute forms of cervical lymphadenitis, otitis media, rheumatic fever.

Forms of sore throat with description and photo

The classification of this disease is determined by the etiology, clinical history and pharyngoscopic signs characteristic of a particular type of disease. The picture of the disease depends on the pathogen that caused its occurrence.

Diagnosis and determination of the type of tonsillitis is carried out on the basis of examination data (visual and instrumental) and laboratory tests. The disease can be unilateral, local or bilateral.

Catarrhal form

The most common and mildest form of the disease. Sources of infection are carious teeth, purulent diseases of the paranasal sinuses, or pathogenic microflora introduced into the body from the outside by airborne droplets.

Characteristic symptoms are minor painful discomfort and sore throat, and a general deterioration in well-being. Body temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees or remains within normal limits. The tonsils are characterized by swelling, moderate redness, and the presence of mucous discharge on their surface. In severe cases, pinpoint hemorrhages are observed. The duration of the disease is 2–4 days. In the absence of adequate treatment, it turns into lacunar or follicular form.

Follicular

Damage to the tonsils occurs as a result of bacterial infection with staphylococci, streptococci or pneumococci. A blood test indicates the development of leukocytosis, a high ESR is observed, traces of protein and red blood cells appear in the urine.

The course of the disease is characterized by chills, palpable pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, enlarged and painful lymph nodes. High temperature (up to 40 degrees) lasts up to 3 days. Intoxication symptoms occur: cephalalgia, weakness, pain in the muscles, heart, joints. In case of follicular tonsillitis, the tonsils and adjacent tissues are hypertrophied, and their swelling is observed. On days 2–3, white-yellow bubbles form on the surface of the tonsils. When they are opened, a white coating forms that does not extend beyond the affected tonsils. Follicular tonsillitis is treated for up to 8 days.

Lacunar form

The causes of lacunar tonsillitis are similar to the previous form. The main route of transmission of the disease is airborne. Laboratory tests also record an increased level of leukocytes in the blood and a high ESR. Symptoms of the disease include hyperthermia, pronounced headaches radiating to the ears, and a significant increase in the submandibular lymph nodes.

A filmy or loose coating forms on the inflamed mucous membrane of the tonsils, which has an irregular shape and a white-yellow color. It covers the tonsils partially or completely and is easily removed with a laboratory spatula without traces of micro-bleeding. Manifestations of lacunar tonsillitis with appropriate treatment disappear 3 to 5 days after the appearance of the first symptoms.

Fibrinous form

Fibrinous (false-membranous, pseudo-diphtheric) tonsillitis develops in a matter of hours. Symptomatically similar to the follicular and lacunar forms and is often their complication. It is characterized by general intoxication of the body (cephalalgia, weakness), chills, hyperthermic syndrome, acute sore throat, and in severe cases, temporary disturbance of consciousness.

On the affected tonsils and adjacent tissues, there is a dense plaque that has a yellowish or grayish color and resembles a diphtheria film. Its source is bursting suppurating follicles. The duration of the illness does not exceed 1 week.

Herpangina

This form of the disease occurs when the body is infected with the Coxsackie virus and is transmitted by the fecal-oral and airborne routes. The incubation stage lasts up to 2 weeks and is characterized by the absence of any symptoms. As the disease progresses, hyperthermia (up to 40 degrees), deterioration of general condition, and loss of appetite appear. Slight leukopenia and lymphocytosis are recorded in the blood.

During the phase of full development of the herpetic form of the disease, pain in the throat, increased salivation, and acute rhinitis are observed. Sometimes eating disorders occur (gag reflex, nausea, diarrhea). The mucous membrane of the pharynx, tonsils, uvula and soft palate are covered with small blisters containing serous exudate, resembling a herpetic rash. Lack of necessary treatment can provoke the development of encephalitis and meningitis.

Quinsy

This form is represented by an intratonsillar abscess that develops as a result of infection with other types of acute tonsillitis. The causative agents of the disease are streptococci that enter the cellular spaces of the neck. Incorrectly selected therapy for angina causes complications, which can result in death (general sepsis, meningitis, phlegmon, thrombosis or brain abscess).

Distinctive features of the disease: nasal voice, weakness, limited mouth opening, possible spasms of the masticatory muscles, tilt of the head to the side affected by the abscess, high body temperature, cephalgia, enlarged lymph nodes. The sore throat is acute and progressive, there is a sharp, pronounced odor from the mouth and symptoms of intoxication of the body.

Necrotic form

The causative agents of the disease are spirochetes and spindle-shaped rods, which belong to opportunistic microflora and actively reproduce in the presence of carious teeth or other foci of necrosis in the oral cavity against the background of decreased immunity. An important difference between this form of sore throat and others is the absence of symptoms characteristic of acute tonsillitis (high temperature, signs of intoxication, difficulty swallowing, significant enlargement of lymph nodes). Blood tests record a significant increase in ESR, pronounced leukocytosis, and the presence of neutrophilia.

The tonsils become covered with plaque, penetrating deep into the mucous membrane. It has an uneven, loose, dull surface and a greenish-yellow, gray color. The affected areas under the influence of fibrin gradually become denser and acquire a black-green color. Attempts to remove this plaque result in bleeding ulcers. The rejected necrotic tissue forms deep ulcerative defects. Necrosis can form not only on the surface of the tonsils, but also spread beyond them. The duration of this form of sore throat can last up to several months and provoke tooth loss and oral sepsis.

Symptoms and first signs of the disease

The incubation period of various types of tonsillitis can range from several hours (for the primary disease) to several months (for specific sore throats). The symptoms are similar to those of acute respiratory viral infections, so an in-person visit to a therapist or pediatrician is required to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. The main signs of angina are as follows:

• An increase in the size of the mandibular or parotid lymph nodes, the appearance of painful sensations during palpation.
• Formation of mucous discharge, plaque on the tonsils and adjacent tissues.
• A sharp rise in body temperature (up to 39 - 40 degrees), accompanied by fever and chills.
• Discomfort in the throat: difficulty swallowing, dryness, redness, severe pain, soreness, swelling.
• Symptoms of intoxication of the body: drowsiness, pain in muscles, joints, cephalalgia, weakness.
• Blood tests record a certain amount of protein and red blood cells.

The presence of sore throat in children is more active and pronounced. In severe cases, symptoms characteristic of acute tonsillitis may be accompanied by diarrhea, intestinal colic, severe nausea and cramps.

Home remedies

The use of alternative medicine in cases of sore throat in children and adults should be accompanied by traditional treatment, including antibiotics. Traditional recipes, widely used at home, must be agreed with the attending physician.

Carrying out complex therapy improves overall well-being, alleviates the course of the disease, accelerates recovery and minimizes the risk of complications. The choice of treatment methods should be selected taking into account the form of sore throat, age and general condition of the patient.

Folk remedies

The main condition for treatment with alternative medicine methods is the absence of allergic reactions to all components included in the formulations.

The following folk remedies are considered highly effective:

• Honey, butter and milk. In 200 ml of warm boiled milk, you need to dissolve butter and honey (1 tablespoon of each ingredient). It is allowed to replace regular butter with cocoa butter. The frequency of reception is not limited.
• Lemon and honey. The juice squeezed from 1 fruit is stirred in 350 ml of warm water. Salt (1/4 tsp) and honey (3 tsp) are added to the resulting drink. Take twice a day.
• Cranberry tea. 2 tsp. berries ground with sugar are poured with a glass of boiling water. Use warm up to 3 times a day. This method can also reduce the temperature.
• Lemon juice and ginger. 1 tsp. Pour ginger crushed to a powder into boiling water (700 ml) and simmer over low heat for 10 - 12 minutes. Dissolve 4 tsp in the cooled broth. honey, add ground black pepper (1 pinch). The resulting volume of medication is divided into 3 doses and consumed throughout the day. Duration of treatment is up to 5 – 7 days.

These drugs make it possible to alleviate the course of the disease, since they have antiviral, antibacterial, and restorative effects. They help activate the immune system and speed up recovery. Treatment of any type of sore throat in children with folk recipes requires consultation with the treating pediatrician.

Compresses on the throat

Applying compresses in the presence of acute tonsillitis can reduce pain and improve overall well-being. It should be borne in mind that this procedure is prohibited in the case of purulent tonsillitis. The following types of compresses are widely used:

• Alcohol. They are carried out using vodka or a 35–40% alcohol solution. The fabric is moistened in liquid and placed on the throat area, covered with a film on top, and the neck is wrapped in a warm scarf.
• Saline. Heat table salt in a frying pan. The hot product is poured into a cloth bag and applied to the sore spot, wrapped with an additional layer of fabric on top.
• Honey. Prepare a mixture of honey (3 tablespoons) and chopped garlic (1 head). The composition is laid out on gauze and placed on the upper part of the neck.
• Potato. Boil 2 - 3 potatoes in their jackets. Prepared vegetables must be crushed. Add 50 ml of vegetable oil and 3 – 5 drops of iodine to the resulting mass. A compress is formed from the resulting mixture and applied to the throat.
• Curd. 250 g of cottage cheese are combined with 2 tbsp. l. honey and 1 onion. The composition is spread in gauze and placed on the affected area.

The duration of the procedure is 1.5 hours. It cannot be performed in the presence of dermatological diseases localized in the neck, tumor-like neoplasms, elevated temperature, ailments of the circulatory system, or thyroid gland.

Gargling

Solutions containing products that have an antiseptic effect are used as therapeutic agents. Each rinsing session requires preparing a fresh portion of the drug. The following ingredients are used to create working solutions:

• Iodine and soda. 1 tsp. baking soda is dissolved in hot water. After cooling, add iodine to the liquid (no more than 5 drops). The permissible frequency of sessions is up to 4 times a day.
• Edible salt and soda. Pour 15 g of soda-salt mixture (for adults) or 7 g (for children) into 200 ml of warm water and stir until they are completely dissolved. Apply up to 6 times a day.
• Vinegar and beets. Beets (3 - 4 pieces) are crushed using a fine grater, and vegetable juice is squeezed out of the resulting mass. A 6% vinegar solution is diluted in 200 ml of beet juice. You can gargle with the resulting liquid for a sore throat up to 3 times a day.

An important condition is the optimal temperature of the prepared solution: it should be within 35 - 40 degrees. It is not recommended to consume drinks or food after the end of the treatment session. Their reception is allowed half an hour after the procedure.

Pharmacy medicines

Treatment of the disease can be effective only if a complex of therapeutic measures is prescribed, including oral administration of medications (primarily antibiotics). For angina, medications may be recommended:

• Antibiotics – Amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefadroxil, ampicillin, josamycin, azithromycin and drugs based on them. They have an antibacterial effect and are indicated for all forms of the disease (including purulent ones). The prescription of medications of a particular group depends on the type of illness, the age of the patient and the individual characteristics of the body. Simultaneously with the therapeutic effect, they produce a preventive effect aimed at preventing possible complications.
• Antiviral– Arbidol, Relenza, Ingavirin, Anaferon, Tamiflu, Kagocel. Effective within the first 2 days from the moment the first symptoms of the disease appear. They have antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, but do not guarantee protection against bacterial infection.
• Antiseptics – Furacilin, Givalex, chlorophyllipt, Miramistin, chlorhexidine, furasol. They are medications that have a local effect. Used for rinsing, lubricating, and irrigating the throat. They have an antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect.
• Antipyretics – Ibuprofen, Panadol, aspirin, Nurofen, paracetamol, Fervex, acetylsalicylic acid, Coldrex. In addition to reducing temperature, they have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. They alleviate the general condition, but do not affect the root cause of hyperthermia.
• Antihistamines– Suprastin, loratadine, diazolin, Erius, cimetidine. The action of this group of drugs is aimed at eliminating swelling. In addition, these medications prevent the development of allergic reactions that may occur while taking antibiotics.
• Sprays (Aerosols) – Hexasprey, Orasept, Yox, Stopangin, Bioparox, Hexoral, Tantum Verde. Create antiseptic, anesthetic and antifungal effects. They have a local effect on the affected tonsils and adjacent tissues: they minimize the sensation of discomfort in the throat (pain, soreness, dryness, burning).
• Antifungal– Nystatin, fluconazole, levorin, ketoconazole. Suppress the development of fungal microflora, the risk of which increases during antibacterial therapy.

All medications have contraindications, so their prescription should be carried out by the attending physician. Self-administration of potent medications can cause the development of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms and, as a result, complicate further treatment of sore throat.

Video: How to quickly cure a sore throat in 1 day

The presented video describes a popular method of treating the disease - gargling with apple cider vinegar. A method for preparing the working solution is proposed, the correct application technique is demonstrated, and the permissible frequency of the procedure is indicated.

The presence of any form of tonsillitis requires an integrated approach, which involves taking medications in combination with methods and recipes of traditional medicine. If you have a sore throat, you must visit a doctor in person to prescribe adequate treatment.

Many people do not take a disease such as tonsillitis seriously. Often the choice is made on medications that eliminate symptoms. Unfortunately, this tactic is incorrect, since the disease can lead to serious complications - pathology of the joints and heart. That is why it is extremely important to know what treats a sore throat. A doctor will, of course, prescribe adequate therapy.

Brief description of the disease

The inflammatory process involving the palatine tonsils and adjacent tissues is called sore throat. In medicine, this pathology is called tonsillitis. In the human body, the tonsils form a kind of ring in the nasopharynx, which protects against pathogenic microorganisms entering other organs. However, such an accumulation of lymphoid tissues reacts with inflammation to infection.

The pathological process is facilitated by factors such as:

The causative agent of purulent sore throat can be a bacterium. Often this is staphylococcus, streptococcus. These microbes are found in abundance in the environment. They are found on clothing and household items, and in the air.

Before or a child, a precise diagnosis should be established. Since this pathology can be a manifestation of most other diseases. For example, such symptoms are characteristic of blood diseases and viral infections (infectious mononucleosis). Therefore, treating a sore throat at home should only be done when there is no doubt about the correct diagnosis.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

With purulent sore throat, the following symptoms are observed:

• high temperature (in some cases the thermometer reaches 40 degrees);
• general condition worsens (fatigue, weakness, loss of strength);
• discomfort occurs in the throat, especially worse when swallowing;
• unpleasant sensations radiate into the ear, a feeling of stuffiness appears during swallowing;
• the pain reaches such intensity that the patient refuses to eat food and drinks only liquids;
• When examining the throat, swelling of the tonsils, redness and plaque are visible.

Most people believe that an effective antibiotic treats a sore throat. At the same time, they completely forget: only complex therapy can bring the desired result.

How to treat a sore throat at home? Initially, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Bed rest. During illness, it is necessary to limit physical activity. It is recommended to get more sleep. It is advisable to avoid talking for a while. The number of days spent in bed depends on the severity of the illness. If possible, the sick person is isolated from other family members, especially small children.
2. Hygiene items, dishes. The patient must be provided with individual household items.
3. Wet cleaning. It is necessary to ventilate the patient's room. Furniture should be wiped with a damp cloth. It is recommended to humidify the air. This will reduce the concentration of bacteria in the room.
4. Drink plenty of fluids. If we treat a sore throat quickly, then we should eliminate the intoxication of the body that accompanies this pathology. To do this, be sure to drink a lot of liquid - juices, teas, water, fruit drinks.
5. Diet. It is recommended to adhere to certain dietary rules. Food should be warm (hot and cold are unacceptable), soft, gentle. It is necessary to avoid food irritants. Preference is given to foods enriched with vitamins. This diet starts the restoration process in the mucous membrane of the tonsils.

Try to avoid the smell of cleaning products and tobacco smoke. They irritate a sore throat too much.

Methods of treating the disease

So, the patient is diagnosed with purulent tonsillitis. How to treat this pathology? The main drugs necessary for the treatment of purulent tonsillitis are antibiotics. They allow the temperature to return to normal within a few days (1-3 days). However, it should be remembered that only complex therapy treats sore throat. Therefore, the fight against pathology includes the following methods:

1. Drug treatment.
2. antiseptics. This procedure is prescribed for the lacunar form of the disease and is performed by an ENT doctor.
3. Gargling with antiseptics.
4. Irrigation of the tonsils with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial sprays.
5. Lubricating the tonsils.

When making a diagnosis, the first question that arises in patients is usually the following: “How to treat a sore throat in an adult?” Initially, for this pathology, antibacterial therapy is prescribed. But it should be noted that it will be effective only when the disease is of a bacterial nature. After all, it is known that antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

Since it is very difficult to visually determine the nature of a sore throat, the doctor prescribes drugs with a wide range of effects without waiting for tests. Only a doctor can tell you what antibiotics to treat a purulent sore throat. It is highly undesirable to select them yourself.

The following drugs are quite effective in relation to many:

• Fluoroquinolones (1st generation) - “Ofloxacin”, “Ciprofloxacin”;
• Fluoroquinolones (2nd generation) - “Levofloxacin”;
• Macrolides - Azithromycin, Erythromycin;
• Penicillins - “Amoxicillin” and “Clavulanic acid”;
• 1st generation cephalosporins - “Cephalexin”, “Cefazolin”;
• 2nd generation of cephalosporins - Cefuroxime, Cefaclor.

Doctors, when advising patients how to treat a sore throat, often recommend the use of local antibacterial drugs. This is, as a rule, the medicine “Bioparox”. The product is produced in the form of a spray. The combination of topical antibiotics and their oral administration allows you to recover from pathology much faster.

An excellent remedy is the topical drug Grammidin Neo. The product contains an effective antibiotic. The drug is produced in the form of tablets intended for resorption.

Antiviral agents

Purulent sore throat provoked by a viral disease requires special attention. How to treat such a pathology? In this case, these therapies are most effective only at the beginning of treatment, in the first two days after the onset of symptoms.

The range of prescribed antiviral drugs is very wide:

• "Arbidol";
• "Kagocel";
• "Ingavirin";
• "Tamiflu";
• "Anaferon";
• "Relenza."

Even with timely initiation of treatment with such drugs, there is no guarantee that bacterial flora will not join the pathology, which requires antibiotics.

Gargling

Many patients know very well what is the best way to treat a sore throat. It's about rinsing. It is advisable to carry out such procedures 5-6 times throughout the day. Solutions intended for rinsing must be warm.

The safest means that are in demand for the procedure are:

• soda-salt solution with added iodine;
• decoctions of herbs - sage, chamomile, calendula.

A very effective drug, tested over many years, is the drug “Furacilin”. It can be easily purchased at the pharmacy in the form of tablets or a pre-prepared solution.

In addition, the following medications that have an antiseptic effect can be used for the rinsing procedure:

• "Chlorhexidine";
• "Givalex";
• "Furasol";
• "Miramistin";
• "Hexoral";
• "Chlorophyllipt".

Effective sprays

Unfortunately, the opportunity to gargle is not always possible. Therefore, remember what treats a sore throat in this case. Many manufacturers produce drugs to combat pathology in several forms. If rinsing is not possible, it is recommended to use sprays.

It is extremely convenient to use this dosage form to combat the disease in children. After all, babies don’t yet know how to gargle on their own.

The choice of spray medications is quite wide and varied:

• "Strepsils plus";
• "Miramistin";
• "Yox";
• "Tantum verde";
• "Hexoral".

Resorption agents

Various lozenges, lozenges, and tablets are the most popular forms of drugs used by patients diagnosed with severe sore throat. Almost all patients know.

The most popular medications are:

• "Strepsils";
• "Septolete";
• "Faringosept";
• "Anti-angina";
• "Tantum verde";
• "Hexoral tabs";
• "Lizobakt".

These drugs, as a rule, have no contraindications. However, the possibility of individual intolerance to some components should be taken into account. Before use, you should carefully study the composition of the drug, especially for people prone to allergic reactions.

It is recommended to use iodine medications with caution. This applies to those people who are thinking about how to treat sore throat during pregnancy, thyroid pathologies, and nursing mothers. For such categories of patients, such drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

Antipyretic drugs

Severe painful discomfort in the throat is not the only symptom characteristic of purulent sore throat. The pathology is accompanied by intoxication of the body, which is manifested by weakness, headache, fever, chills.

There is a need to eliminate these symptoms. For such purposes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have antipyretic effects are used.

It is most advisable to prescribe the following remedies:

• "Ibuprofen";
• "Nurofen";
• "Paracetamol";
• "Aspirin";
• "Panadol";
• "Fervex";
• Coldrex.

The above medications are not only effective but also have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It should be remembered that these drugs only help alleviate the condition. They have no effect on the cause of the disease. They are used exclusively for symptomatic treatment.

Application of vitamins

It is very important to support the immune system during this disease. This will allow the body to recover much faster. The following multivitamin complexes help treat sore throat at home:

• "Pikovit";
• "Multi Tabs";
• "Alphabet";
• "Complivit";
• "Vitrum";
• "Biomax".

Natural immunostimulants are very useful - tinctures of ginseng, eleutherococcus, and echinacea purpurea.

Prescription of probiotics

In most cases, antibiotic therapy is prescribed to treat sore throat. Unfortunately, it is precisely this that can often provoke intestinal dysbiosis. To protect the body from an unpleasant complication, the doctor prescribes lacto- and bifidobacteria.

Popular probiotics are:

• "Linex";
• "Acilact";
• "Acipol";
• "Bifidumbacterin";
• "Bifiform";
• "Normoflorin";
• "Probifor".

Treatment of children

It is extremely unpleasant if children get sick. Only a pediatrician can tell you how to treat a purulent sore throat for a child.

The fight against pathology is based on the use of antibacterial drugs. Oral dosage forms may be recommended. For fairly serious pathologies, the doctor prescribes injections of drugs. Often the choice stops at medications:

• "Stopangin";
• "Hexoral";
• "Inhalipt."

It is definitely recommended to gargle. For babies, you can use herbal decoctions, solutions of sea salt, and soda. A positive effect will be provided by propolis tincture diluted in half a glass of warm water. Children can gargle with a solution of furatsilin or Lugol.

Warming compresses for purulent sore throat are strictly prohibited, since such a procedure promotes increased blood flow to the area affected by the infection. Along with the flow, the infection spreads quite quickly throughout the body. Thus, parents need to remember that with purulent sore throat, warming the throat can seriously aggravate the situation.

Many folk remedies are quite effective. However, it should be understood that they act only as additional therapy. It is impossible to rely only on folk recipes, since there is a risk of various complications.

Treatment of illness during pregnancy

For women expecting a baby, a disease such as purulent tonsillitis is extremely dangerous, since the pathology can lead to quite serious consequences:

• rheumatism;
• arthritis;
• heart defects;
• kidney ailments;
• complications of pregnancy.

This disease carries a double danger for the unborn baby and the mother. It is completely unacceptable to decide on your own how to treat a sore throat during pregnancy, since the patient needs drug treatment, which includes antibiotics. After all, the risk of complications from this pathology is much higher than the threat from a specially selected medicine. It is the doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications and monitor the condition of the expectant mother.

Today, pharmacology has developed antibiotics that are not contraindicated for pregnant women. However, such drugs cannot be taken on their own. Only a doctor will prescribe the necessary remedy.

Pregnant women should definitely use local treatment methods:

1. Gargling. It is recommended to use decoctions of medicinal herbs, the drug “Furacilin”.
2. Inhalations.
3. Adhere to the required drinking regime.
4. Proper nutrition, enriched with vitamins and carefully balanced.

Conclusion

All patients diagnosed with purulent tonsillitis should understand how serious this disease is. In case of pathology, adequate therapy is necessary, since the disease, with improper treatment or its complete absence, can easily become chronic. The patient will periodically experience periods of exacerbation of sore throat, followed by temporary remission.

The risk of developing unpleasant complications is quite high: sinusitis, otitis media, paratonsillitis. And sometimes, due to improper treatment, a pathology such as rheumatism can develop. That is why, at the first symptoms of a sore throat, you should definitely consult a doctor and strictly follow all his prescriptions.

In conditions of sore throat, it should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician, who examines the throat and establishes an accurate diagnosis. Often, a patient may carry out intensive self-medication of a sore throat, confusing it with a common cold and a mild sore throat or vice versa. When a person has a sore throat, there is a strong accumulation of pus in the throat, high temperature and weakness in the body. That is why the primary treatment involves bed rest and taking several antibiotics, which can only be prescribed by a doctor.

A good way to treat a sore throat is to drink warm (but not hot!) drinks frequently. You can make your own fruit drink from fresh or frozen raspberries or currants, which will have a disinfecting and softening effect on the throat. Often patients prefer to ignore this remedy due to severe pain when swallowing, but you should be patient if you want a quick and noticeable effect. You can also drink weak black or green tea with honey, but it is better to avoid adding lemon, since citrus fruits irritate an already very inflamed larynx.

The second most effective remedy for sore throat is rinsing, which should be done at least once an hour. In this case, rinsing agents should alternate. Use a solution of soda (a teaspoon per glass of water), propolis (10 g per glass of water) or iodine (3-4 drops per glass of water). You can add a few drops of eucalyptus or calendula tincture to boiled water. Gargling perfectly softens the throat, relieves pain when swallowing and has a disinfecting effect. In addition, you can instill a small amount of any of the listed remedies into your nose using a pipette if, in addition to a sore throat, you have a runny nose.

Honey itself is an excellent remedy for sore throat. In addition to adding it to tea, you can lubricate inflamed tonsils with it by preparing a special solution. In a small container, mix three tablespoons of this ingredient with a few drops of aloe juice. Lubricate your tonsils 1-2 times a day until improvements appear. Another folk remedy is beets. Rub it into a glass to the brim, add a tablespoon of 6 percent vinegar. Squeeze the juice through cheesecloth and leave for several hours. Use one or two spoons of rinse, diluting with warm water.

It is possible and necessary to cure a sore throat at home, because this is the method of treatment that doctors recommend, unless we are talking about particularly advanced cases. It should be remembered that angina is an extremely insidious and dangerous disease and waiting until it goes away by itself, thereby postponing treatment, is categorically not recommended, since angina can affect the entire body and cause more dangerous diseases such as rheumatism, kidneys, heart and multiple joint lesions.

In addition, untimely treatment of a sore throat can very quickly lead to a peritonsillar abscess, one of the types of ulcers that requires hospital treatment. It’s not for nothing that the name of the disease comes from the word “ango”, which in Latin means “to compress”. This disease really makes breathing difficult, but, fortunately, it does not lead to deaths from suffocation, although it creates a lot of inconvenience for the patient.

Diagnostics

In order to begin effective treatment, it is important to diagnose the disease correctly and on time. The main symptoms of angina include:

• Increased body temperature;
• Sore throat, especially when swallowing;
• Inflammation of the tonsils, which is expressed in redness, an increase in their size and the appearance of plaque;
• Excessive sweating and general weakness.

In addition, as a rule, a sore throat is usually accompanied by a severe headache, lack of appetite and general symptoms of malaise. It should be noted that most often children of all ages, as well as adults 30-40 years old, suffer from angina. There are seasonal outbreaks of the disease, which occur mainly in the autumn-spring period. But people who are especially susceptible to sore throat can get sick at any time of the year and in any weather, for example, by drinking cold water or eating ice cream. The cause of the disease can also be simple hypothermia.

First of all, it should be noted that self-medication of any disease, not just sore throat, can lead to irreparable consequences. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor in any case. Moreover, the specialist will definitely prescribe the correct treatment at home, but it never hurts to play it safe and make sure the diagnosis is accurate based on the anamnesis, because sometimes pharyngoscopy data is not enough and the doctor prescribes additional laboratory tests, including bacteriological or cytological . And the symptoms of a sore throat may be similar to diphtheria, for example, or measles. Such diseases require completely different treatment, and they cannot be cured quickly, but at home it will not be possible.

We are treated without medical help

The good news is that a sore throat can be cured quite quickly, especially if you follow your doctor's advice and some simple rules:

• Bed rest. This rule applies to the first days of a sore throat and should be followed until the body temperature returns to normal.
• Special food. In order to quickly get rid of the disease at home, it is very important, in addition to drug treatment, to adhere to the right diet. Food should be as rich in vitamins as possible. Broths, dairy products and liquid cereals are perfect. It will be good if you include more onions and garlic in your diet, which are characterized by a high content of phytoncides - biologically active substances that suppress the development of bacteria. At the same time, it is strictly not recommended to eat rough and spicy food. In addition, you need to drink as many liquids as possible, including teas with lemon, fruit juices, warm milk with honey, homemade compotes and jelly.
• Gargling. Treatments prescribed by your doctor, such as gargling, will certainly help cure a sore throat as quickly as possible. There are a large number of recipes for the composition of a solution suitable for rinsing a sore throat, both those sold in pharmacies and from traditional medicine. If we talk about the most popular, then we should remember a solution of water with the addition of soda (a teaspoon per glass of warm water). It’s a good idea to add a drop of iodine to this mixture. The more often you gargle, the faster your sore throat will heal.
• Inhalations. In order to reduce swelling during a sore throat, it is recommended to carry out inhalation procedures, which at home in the shortest possible time allows you to achieve a positive result. The substances whose vapors can be inhaled include both medications, such as chlorhexedine, and various medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula, etc.). For the procedure, different types of inhalers are used, but if they are not available, it is quite acceptable to use an ordinary bowl and towel. In folk medicine, in addition to medicinal herbs, steam from boiled potatoes is used, which is suggested to be breathed over the same bowl. But before you begin any type of inhalation, you should remember that there are a number of contraindications to such a procedure, including high temperature and hypertension, for example. Therefore, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is not only desirable, but also vital.
• Lugol. This is perhaps the most popular way to treat sore throat at home in cases of the disease, both children and adults. Lugol's solution is sold in pharmacies, often in the form of a spray, applied directly to the site of inflammation. The drug is based on molecular iodine, which, in turn, is an excellent antiseptic, destructive to staphylococci and streptococci, the main causative agents of sore throat. The use of Lugol's solution in many cases allows you to cure the initial stage of sore throat without any additional procedures or medications. But this method also has its contraindications and side effects. Therefore, before use, consultation with a specialist is recommended.
• Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Obviously, the prescription of medications is entirely the responsibility of the doctor. How to treat different types of sore throat, and what medications to prescribe, can be said with confidence only after a professional examination of the patient and, if necessary, laboratory tests. Self-medicating with antibiotics can lead to even more health problems.
• Folk remedies. Primitive people probably encountered the symptoms of sore throat, which is why during such a long time of humanity’s struggle with this disease, a huge number of folk recipes were invented, many of which have not lost their relevance today. Among the most famous are chewing honey in honeycombs and ingesting grated onion juice (a tablespoon 2 times a day). Also, in the old days, cabbage leaves were tied to a sore throat and then wrapped in a woolen scarf. Viburnum and lemon juices are actively used. There are also more exotic ways. For example, the following procedure is believed to help with a sore throat: Place the palm of your left hand on the back of your head, and press your right hand to the sore throat and remain in this position for 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to repeat this procedure over several days.
• There is also a very extreme method of treating sore throat, which few people would dare to use these days. It consists of the following: a tablespoon of kerosene should be diluted in a glass of warm water. Then you are asked to drink half of this mixture and gargle with the other half. Be that as it may, you need to consult a doctor in any case before trying on yourself, even the most effective and proven folk remedies.

Prevention

Since the cause of sore throat is often hypothermia, hardening the body is recommended as a priority preventive measure and it is advisable to do this from the first years of a child’s life. In addition, physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle significantly reduce the risk of developing a sore throat. Sunbathing, constant water treatments can be very useful for prevention, and do not forget about a balanced diet rich in all groups of vitamins.

It should be remembered that the occurrence of sore throat is promoted by excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco smoke. Such bad habits can be especially harmful to health during the immediate course of the disease. And remember that at the first symptoms of a sore throat, be sure to consult a doctor, and then you can follow his recommendations at home.