What are the symptoms of ulcerative pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is a common disease that has a particularly great impact on people's respiratory tract, causing patients to suffer great pain. This disease is mostly caused by viral infection, so other accompanying symptoms are likely to occur, aggravating the impact of the disease. For example, ulcerative pharyngitis is a typical manifestation. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of ulcerative pharyngitis. I hope everyone can understand it.

Ulcerative membranous pharyngitis, also known as Vincent's pharyngitis, is an ulcerative membranous inflammation caused by infection with Fusobacterium and Vincent's spirochete, characterized by local inflammatory reaction, ulcer formation, and pseudomembrane covering. The infection often occurs in the tonsils or gums but may spread to other parts of the mouth.

Clinical manifestations

1. Sore throat is the main symptom, often unilateral, accompanied by difficulty swallowing and bad breath.

2. Systemic symptoms are relatively mild, including headache, general discomfort, joint pain, and fever, but the body temperature generally does not exceed 38.5℃.

3. The tonsils are red and swollen, with grayish white or grayish yellow rotten flesh-like pseudomembrane on them. It has a foul smell and is easily wiped off. There is an ulcer underneath with small bleeding spots. In severe cases, the pseudomembrane may spread to the pharynx and oral cavity.

4. Enlarged submandibular lymph nodes.

Disease treatment

Pharyngitis is highly contagious and should be treated in isolation. Tableware, toys, etc. used by the child should be disinfected to prevent cross infection. During the illness, pay attention to rest, drink plenty of warm water, eat more fresh vegetables and nutritious and easily digestible foods to enhance the body's resistance. Avoid eating spicy food and do not eat food that is too hot or too cold.

There is currently no specific treatment for enterovirus infection, and treatment is mainly symptomatic. Pay attention to oral hygiene and keep your mouth clean. You can gargle with light salt water, apply 10% silver nitrate to the ulcer, or use throat elixir, Bingpengsan, etc. to blow into the throat to relieve the symptoms of sore throat. Take vitamin C and B orally.

For mild and moderate fever, physical cooling is the main approach. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5℃, antipyretics such as ibuprofen can be given. Patients with high fever convulsions and severe myalgia may be given appropriate sedatives and analgesics.

Antiviral treatment options include ribavirin, ganciclovir, interferon, etc. Antibiotics are ineffective for viral pharyngitis, but if bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics may be used as appropriate.