Treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics: a list of effective drugs. How to treat bacterial pharyngitis Pharyngitis treatment without antibiotics

With pharyngitis, the doctor often prescribes antibiotics. With this pathology, inflammation develops on the back wall of the larynx. Most often adults and less often children are susceptible to diseases. Antibiotic treatment for pharyngitis is prescribed to quickly and reliably eliminate inflammation and prevent further development.

Do you need antibiotics for pharyngitis

The appointment of antibiotics for pharyngitis is necessary, but what kind of drugs will be needed is determined by the doctor depending on the patient's age, form and stage of pathology.

What are

Antibacterial agents can be different:

In the form of tablets - such funds have a wide spectrum of action. They not only eliminate the symptoms of pharyngitis, but also act on its cause.
Sprays and aerosols - these drugs can relieve inflammation, eliminate germs, and restore the throat.
In the form of ampoules, which are needed for intravenous and intramuscular injections.
Solutions that lubricate the mucous area of the larynx.

When used

The drugs can be prescribed as the main treatment or as an adjunct therapy. The doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy in the event that other treatments have not had an effect on the disease.

Taking antibacterial agents is indicated for this course of the disease:

There is a risk of complications such as obstructive bronchitis or pneumonia.
Pharyngitis in acute form.
The presence of concomitant diseases in the form of purulent otitis media or tonsillitis.
If subfebrile temperature lasts more than 5 days.
The presence of hyperthermia for more than 2 days.
Prolonged sluggish pharyngitis.

With good immunity and a weak course of pharyngitis, you can do without antibiotics.

When not used

Antibiotic treatment will be useless when viruses are the cause of the disease. If you take antimicrobial agents at the same time, you may begin intestinal dysbiosis.

Consider the use of antibiotics. Therapist Philip Kuzmenko explains when to start taking antibiotics, which ones, how much and for how long.

Is there a difference in the treatment of acute and chronic pharyngitis

The course of acute and chronic pharyngitis is different. If in the acute form of the disease all the symptoms are pronounced, then the chronic stage is distinguished by an even and sluggish manifestation.

Acute pharyngitis often develops as a complication from respiratory diseases... At this time, taking antibiotics is justified, since at this stage the inflammatory process is activated, and, most likely, a bacterial infection is present. But the treatment will be prescribed by the doctor after receiving the results of bacterial culture to identify the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

The basic principles of the treatment of chronic and acute pharyngitis have similar points, except that in chronic pharyngitis, antibiotics are prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease.

Is it possible to completely treat pharyngitis without antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not always indicated for pharyngitis. This is only justified if the doctor is sure that an infection has been attached.

In another case, the following treatment is carried out:

If pharyngitis is mild, then it will be sufficient local treatment... To do this, use sprays, absorbable tablets and lozenges, rinse solutions, preparations for lubricating the pharynx.
To make the discharge quickly separate from the pharyngeal mucosa, expectorant drugs are prescribed, for example, Lazolvan, Ambrobene, ACC.
With atrophic pharyngitis, a person may experience severe pain, in this case, a blockade with Novocaine or Proserin is used.
If there is swelling of the pharynx, the doctor prescribes antihistamines.
Antiviral drugs are prescribed if there is a viral infection.
Chronic pharyngitis is often treated with physical therapy - electrophoresis, ultraviolet radiation, and ultrasound treatment.
Hypertrophic and atrophic pharyngitis in the absence of results from conservative treatment is eliminated surgically, namely by cauterization with liquid nitrogen or a laser beam.

Can pharyngitis occur after a course of antibiotics?

Pharyngitis can recur after using antibiotics if they are not properly selected. To find out which medicine will be most effective, it is necessary to pass sputum for analysis to identify the pathogen. After this, a study is carried out and the sensitivity of the microbe to certain groups of antibacterial agents is determined.

In addition, antibiotic therapy will not be as effective for such disorders when taking the drug:

the patient, feeling an improvement, stopped taking the medicine before the end of the course;
during treatment with antibacterial drugs, the patient abused alcohol;
the rules for taking the medicine were violated;
rules for the use of antibiotics for children.

Only a pediatrician can determine if a child needs antibiotics for pharyngitis.

Rules for the use of antibiotics for children

Most often, children are prescribed the following groups of drugs:

semi-synthetic penicillins, they are prescribed in the form of a suspension and only after months of age(amoxicillin, ampicillin, etc.);
macrolides are indicated from three months (roxithromycin, clarithromycin, spiramycin, etc.).

In young children, the digestive system is not yet so perfect, therefore, probiotics are prescribed simultaneously with antibiotics so that the intestines do not upset and dysbiosis does not begin.

When should a child take antibiotics?

In childhood, the need to take antibiotics for pharyngitis may be due to the following reasons:

Exacerbation of pharyngitis along with tonsillitis or the presence of primary sore throat.
Accession of diseases such as tracheitis and bronchitis.
Complications in the form of pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media or obstructive bronchitis.
Low temperature lasting more than 6 days.
Body temperature above 38 degrees, which lasts more than two days.
Pharyngitis symptoms with proper treatment for more than 21 days.

Is it possible to do without them

It is inappropriate to take antibiotics for a viral infection and with a mild course of the disease.

What to do if pharyngitis persists

If, after taking antibiotics, the disease turned into a sluggish form, but the symptoms did not completely disappear, then this may mean that the drug was chosen incorrectly. In this case, you should not look for a way out of the situation on your own. Contact a competent specialist, only a doctor can choose the right medicine that will eliminate the disease. Otherwise, additional examination will be required, which will reveal the cause of persistent pharyngitis.

Effective antibacterial drugs

In the first row of antibacterial agents against pharyngitis are semi-synthetic penicillins. These include the following medications:

Ampicillin;
Carbenicillin.

In the presence of a mixed infection (streptococci and staphylococci), the following drugs are indicated:

Oxacillin;
Dicloxacillin.

The protected group of the penicillin series includes drugs:

Amoxiclav;
Flemoklav.

Penicillins- these are the most common effective antibiotics used for pharyngitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Macrolides and Lincosamides are prescribed for intolerance to the penicillin series. Among macrolides, the most popular are:

Erythromycin;
Azithromycin;
Roxithromycin;
Spiramycin.

Among Lincosamides:

Clindamycin;
Lincomycin.

In severe pharyngitis, cephalosporins can be prescribed:

Ceftriaxone;
Cefazolin;
Cefadroxil and their derivatives.

Topical antibiotics include:

Miramistin;
Bioparox;
Cameton;
Hexalysis.

All antibacterial agents for pharyngitis are prescribed by the attending physician, focusing on tests, the general condition of the patient, his age and the course of the disease. Self-administration of antibiotics can lead to various complications.

An acute inflammatory process localized on the back of the pharynx is called pharyngitis. The disease is quite common against the background of acute respiratory viral infections that require the use of antibiotics. But it can also be caused by other factors, for example, constant inhalation of cold air or vapors of chemicals, infection from another patient, other inflammatory and infectious diseases of nearby organs.

Classification of the disease - pharyngitis

In medicine, there are several types of the disease under consideration, each of which is characterized by certain signs:

bacterial- develops against the background of reproduction / spread of pathogenic bacteria;
viral- begins only with the presence of viruses in the body, for example, against the background of ARVI;
fungal- the reason for the appearance of this type of pharyngitis is the presence in the body of various fungal colonies (most often fungi of the genus Candida are detected);
allergic- occurs only in those people who suffer different kinds allergies, pharyngitis in this case will appear when the established allergen is inhaled;
traumatic- the inflammatory process begins as a result of injury to the pharynx (for example, when it enters the thickness of the fish bone tissue).

Symptoms

Signs of the inflammatory process on the back of the pharynx are quite pronounced - they can be used for accurate diagnostics without the use of special tools / equipment. Pharyngitis symptoms include:

sore throat- it can be of different intensity and of a different nature: sharp, constant, acute, dull, accompanied by burning / perspiration / dryness;
empty throat syndrome- the pain is sharp, severe, appears when swallowing air or one's own saliva, therefore, patients with pharyngitis often drink any liquid and thus get rid of the pain;
slime- it accumulates in the throat, it is impossible to cough it up, with such attempts, vomiting can also occur;
general intoxication- this symptom is typical for all types of inflammatory processes: hyperthermia ( elevated temperature body), general weakness / increased drowsiness, heaviness in the muscles ("aches");
swollen lymph nodes- on palpation, cervical lymph nodes are clearly visible, slight soreness may be present.

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The principles of treatment, is it possible to quickly cure

The most popular names include:

Aerosols / sprays. These drugs have a local effect and are considered the most effective method. Some sprays and aerosols have not only antibacterial properties, but also anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties.
Pills. Antibiotics in tablet form are often prescribed as one of the components of complex therapy, they have a wide / general spectrum of action and can not only relieve symptoms of pharyngitis, but also cleanse the entire body of viruses / pathogenic microorganisms. Antibiotics in tablets are especially effective for viral and bacterial pharyngitis.

If pharyngitis has developed against the background of allergies, then in addition to antibiotics, the patient must be prescribed a course of antihistamines. In many cases, antibacterial drugs in tablet form are not prescribed at all - it is enough to undergo the prescribed course of treatment with sprays / aerosols, increasing their effectiveness with folk remedies.

List of popular antibiotics: which drug is better

The most commonly used antibacterial drugs in the treatment of the considered inflammatory process of the posterior pharyngeal wall:

Bioparox / Cameton / Miramistin- preparations produced in the form of aerosols can be used both as and as antiseptics;

Hexalysis- for resorption, have a combined effect;
Amoxicillin- capsules belonging to the penicillin group;
Azithromycin- an antibiotic from the macrolide group, prescribed in case of revealed intolerance to penicillins;
Cefadroxil- antibacterial drug of the latest generation, has a complex effect. What antibiotics to take with sinusitis, read.

Indications and contraindications

Antibiotics for pharyngitis are prescribed if the course of the disease is too severe - the patient will show signs of severe intoxication, the etiology of the inflammatory process is viral and / or bacterial. With allergic and traumatic pharyngitis, antibiotics may not have the desired effect - it is necessary to get rid of the cause that provokes the inflammatory process.

children under the age of 6;
pregnant and lactating women;
with diagnosed renal and / or hepatic insufficiency;
with identified peptic ulcer.

The doctor has the opportunity to make prescriptions variably. If, for example, the patient has an early diagnosed gastric / duodenal ulcer, then tablets can be excluded, but aerosols / sprays can be used for treatment.

How to take it right

In order for therapy with antibacterial drugs to be truly effective and safe, the following rules for their use must be strictly observed:

the dosage and duration of admission should be determined only by the attending physician. This moment is too individual - the patient's age, his general state of health, absence / presence of individual intolerance / hypersensitivity are taken into account;
the prescribed course of treatment must be carried out completely - you cannot stop taking antibacterial drugs even if all symptoms of pharyngitis have disappeared. Otherwise, the recurrence of the development of the inflammatory process on the back wall of the pharynx occurs in 97% of cases - bacteria begin to grow, multiply and spread again;
in no case should antibiotics be consumed simultaneously with alcohol and some other medications - this issue should be clarified with the attending physician or independently studied the instructions.

Usually the course of treatment is 10 days, but some drugs can be used no more than 3-5 days in a row - this indicator is individual and is determined only by a specialist. If there is no effect when using the prescribed drug, the doctor is obliged to adjust the treatment regimen.

Capsules must be taken one hour before meals or two hours after, with plenty of water (not milk, not juice, not mineral water). Sprays, aerosols and absorbable tablets should be used only after meals, and no food or liquids should be consumed for 2 hours after the procedure.

When injecting an aerosol / spray, the patient must take a deep breath - so the drug is distributed more evenly along the pharynx.

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, which is infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal) or non-infectious in nature. For the treatment of the disease, local agents (antiseptics, emollients, bacterial lysates) and systemic therapy (immunomodulating, antibacterial) are used.

Antibiotics for pharyngitis should be taken only if the external signs of pathology and the results of a smear from the throat indicate the presence of bacterial colonies.

Pharyngitis and its main symptoms

The development of the inflammatory process in the pharynx is accompanied by the following symptoms:

sore throat and sore throat;
dry cough;
redness, ulceration of the pharyngeal mucosa;
pain syndrome when swallowing;
white bloom on the tonsils (with a purulent form of the disease);
swelling of the cervical lymph nodes;
an increase in temperature to subfebrile.

If inflammation of the pharynx is a consequence of SARS or a severe bacterial infection, the patient may experience severe fever and symptoms of body intoxication (weakness, malaise, difficulty breathing, headache).

In the absence of timely treatment, pharyngitis is often complicated by concomitant diseases: inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis), nasal mucosa (sinusitis) and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia).

What antibiotics are prescribed for pharyngitis

Upper respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis, require complex treatment. The following drugs can be used in therapy:

antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal;
local antiseptics;
antipyretics (NSAIDs);
local and systemic immunomodulators;
vitamin complexes.

If the disease proceeds without temperature and signs of general intoxication, then therapy can be limited to local and general tonic agents. An uncomplicated course of pharyngitis is typical for adult patients who are infected with typical pathogens of the respiratory system (viruses, streptococci and staphylococci).

With a long and complicated course of bacterial pharyngitis, the appointment of antibiotics is mandatory. Most often in otolaryngological practice, agents from the group of macrolides, penicillins and cephalosporins are used.

Many types of bacteria are highly resistant to traditional antibiotics, so new generation drugs are used to treat inflammation of the pharynx. They are available in the form of suspensions, dispersible tablets, injection solutions.

Macrolides

Macrolide antibiotics inhibit the synthesis of cellular proteins on the ribosomes of pathogens. The drugs of this group produce a bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting the further multiplication of microorganisms.

With an increased concentration of the active substance, macrolides can act bactericidal, including on those microorganisms that provoke the development of bacterial pharyngitis (beta-hemolytic streptococcus, pneumococcus, diphtheria bacillus).

The activity of antibiotics of the macrolide group extends to the following pathogens:

gram-positive aerobic bacteria (staphylococci that do not have methicillin resistance, streptococci, pneumococci, corynebacteria);
gram-negative aerobic cocci (spirochetes);
pathogens of STDs (gonococcus, chlamydia);
mycoplasma.

These pathogens can provoke the development of bacterial and purulent pharyngitis and other upper respiratory tract infections.

Most commonly, macrolides are used to treat inflammation caused by staphylococci, STDs, and atypical pathogens that are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics.

The drugs in this group include:

Azithromycin (Sumamed);
Clarithromycin (Klacid);
Roxithromycin (Rulid);
Josamycin (Wilprafen).

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics. The mechanism of their action is similar to that of penicillins, which also have a beta-lactam ring in their structure.

Antibiotic agents of the cephalosporin group bind to proteins of pathogenic microorganisms, which play the role of enzymes in the final stage of the synthesis of a biopolymer, which is an important component of the bacterial cell walls. Blocking the formation of this polymer leads to the destruction of the pathogen, therefore, only a bactericidal effect is characteristic of beta-lactams.

The proteins that beta-lactams bind to are absent in animals, therefore cephalosporins are included in the list of the safest antibacterial agents.

Antibiotics of this group are active against aerobic gram-positive cocci, as well as some gram-negative pathogens. Preparations of the 2-3rd generation ("Zinnat", "Pancef", "Suprax", "Tsedeks") have a wider range of effects than the first representatives of the group, but are less active against certain gram-positive pathogens. This determines the applicability of the 1st generation cephalosporin ("Cephalexin") in modern therapeutic practice.

In case of purulent complications of bacterial pharyngitis, parenteral cephalosporin antibiotics (Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime) can be prescribed.

Some strains of bacteria produce beta-lactamases, enzymes that break down beta-lactam compounds. In this case, the effectiveness of the action of cephalosporins is sharply reduced.

The structure of penicillins is similar to the structure of cephalosporins. They also contain a beta-lactam ring in their structure, which ensures the effectiveness of the drug.

This group of antibacterial substances includes:

ampicillin ("Ampicillin");
amoxicillin (Flemoxin);
phenoxymethylpenicillin ("Ospin").

Penicillins are more vulnerable to the action of enzymes of resistant bacteria, so they are combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid, sulbactam). These compounds stop the action of destructive enzymes and allow ampicillin, amoxicillin and other substances of the penicillin group to exhibit antibacterial activity.

Combined drugs based on synthetic penicillins and lactamase inhibitors include:

"Amoxiclav";
Flemoklav Solutab;
"Trifamox IBL";
Augmentin;
"Panklav".

Protected penicillins are the drugs of choice for upper respiratory infections and provide rapid relief of symptoms of acute inflammation of the pharynx, larynx and tonsils.

In addition to penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides, with bacterial pharyngitis, drugs from the group of lincosamides ("Lincomycin", "Clindafer", "Clindamycin") can be prescribed.

Indications for use

Indications for the use of antibiotics for pharyngitis are:

the development of acute tonsillopharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and lower respiratory tract infections against the background of inflammation of the pharynx;
high risk of developing pneumonia;
development of purulent otitis media;
the spread of bacterial inflammation to the nasal passages ();
high temperature for 2 days (with immune disorders and childhood, antibiotics can be prescribed earlier);
subfebrile temperature for 5 or more days;
long course of the inflammatory process (more than 21 days).

The likelihood of complications and the effectiveness of treatment depend on the timely appointment of antimicrobial therapy, therefore, in some cases the best option is the preventive use of antibiotics.

Features of the appointment of antibiotics to pregnant and lactating women

With pharyngitis during pregnancy and lactation, antibiotic therapy is prescribed only for severe disease. With uncomplicated inflammation, treatment is limited to taking safe fortifying drugs, rinsing and irrigating the throat with antiseptic solutions and adhering to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

The drugs of choice for pregnant and lactating women are penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. They are the safest for the fetus and newborn.

For complicated pharyngitis caused by beta-lactam-resistant (except for MRSA) and atypical pathogens (gonococci, chlamydia, mycoplasma), agents from the macrolide group are prescribed.

Safe for the fetus are "Erythromycin", "Josamycin", "Spiramycin". With strict indications (for example, with chlamydial pharyngitis), the appointment of "Azithromycin" is possible. During breastfeeding allowed to take "Erythromycin" and "Azithromycin" (with caution).

It is forbidden to self-treat with antibiotics, change the dosage of drugs prescribed by the doctor and the duration of therapy.

Antibiotics for children

Pharyngitis is more severe in children than in adult patients. On the 2-3rd day of the disease, the isolated infection turns into nasopharyngitis and other complications. This is due to the proximity of the respiratory system in children.

The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic based on the results of an analysis of the sensitivity of the microflora obtained in a smear from the pharynx, or recommend the use of an agent with a wide spectrum of antibacterial action. The duration of the course of treatment does not differ from the duration of therapy in adult patients. The dosage is determined by the weight of the child.

What antibiotics are allowed for children:

"Amoxiclav" (from birth);
"Lincomycin" (from 1 month);
Zinnat (from 3 months);
"Zedex" (from 6 months);
"Sumamed" (with a body weight of more than 5 kg);
"Klacid" (from 6 months).

For children, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of a suspension. With complicated pharyngitis and a severe course of the disease, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting using an injectable form of drugs.

To prevent dysbiosis and a decrease in immunity during treatment, the child should drink probiotics (Immunovit, Laktovit, Linex) simultaneously with antibacterial agents.

What to do in case of overdose

Treatment of an overdose with antibacterial drugs is symptomatic. The patient is prescribed sorbents, an enveloping drink (milk, jelly), a dropper with a saline solution, followed by the introduction of diuretics (except for cases of kidney and cardiovascular system damage). Before the arrival of the medical team, it is recommended to empty the stomach with vomiting. Vomiting should be provoked only if the patient is conscious.

Plasmapheresis, dialysis, hemosorption and function support internal organs assigned according to indications.

Interaction with other drugs

The degree and type of interaction of antibacterial components with others medicines depend on the mechanism of influence, composition and characteristics of the pharmacokinetics of both drugs.

Antibiotics used to treat pharyngitis interact with medications as follows:

antacids reduce the availability of antibacterial components;
penicillins and cephalosporins can enhance the effect of antiplatelet agents, reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception, slow down the process of methotrexate release by the excretory system;
macrolides and sulfonamides reduce the intensity of exposure to penicillins;
macrolides are not combined with lincosamides, increase the effect and side effects anticoagulants, valproates, ergot preparations, terfenadine, astemizole and digoxin.

With the simultaneous administration of medications with increased toxicity and antibiotics (for example, loop diuretics and cephalosporins), the risk of impaired function of the kidneys, liver and other internal organs increases.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of antibiotics are:

allergic reactions to drug components;
hypersensitivity to drugs of a similar structure (for penicillins, cephalosporins);
severe renal and hepatic impairment;
cholestatic jaundice, pseudomembranous colitis and other side effects of antibiotic therapy in history;
mononucleosis;
diseases of the hematopoietic system (lymphocytic leukemia, porphyria).

Can pharyngitis be cured without antibiotics?

Treatment of pharyngitis without the use of antibiotics is recommended:

with viral and non-infectious inflammation;
with uncomplicated forms of the disease;
in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and during lactation.

Most often, infectious pharyngitis occurs as a result of viral infection, therefore, preventive antibiotic treatment is used only with a high risk of bacterial complications (immunity disorders, infancy).

Bacterial pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat caused by bacteria. Usually bacterial pharyngitis occurs due to group A streptococcus, although chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause this disease. When the causes of pharyngitis are established, use a combination of medication and folk remedies to cure illness and recover from infection.

Attention: the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare professional before using prescriptions.

Steps

Part 1

Receiving medical care

Get a throat swab so your doctor can determine the exact cause of your pharyngitis. Most cases of sore throat (pharyngitis) are caused by viruses. Other cases are caused by a bacterial infection (hence the disease is called "bacterial pharyngitis"). The first step is to establish the cause of the disease, which cannot be done on the basis of symptoms alone. To do this, your doctor will need to take a swab from your throat.

Take antibiotics. Once the cause of the pharyngitis has been identified (and it has been determined to be bacterial pharyngitis), you will most likely be prescribed a course of oral antibiotics. Antibiotics will be matched to the specific type of bacteria. Penicillin is most commonly prescribed to treat group A streptococcal infections, but there are other types of antibiotics that will work as well.

Be sure to complete the entire course of antibiotic treatment that your doctor prescribes.
One of the main reasons for taking antibiotics for bacterial pharyngitis is to prevent complications.
In addition to penicillin, other medications can be used to treat pharyngitis, such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, cephalosporins, and macrolides. If the patient has a hypersensitivity to penicillin, use cephalosporins.

Take paracetamol (Panadol) to relieve pain and fever. In addition to taking antibiotics to treat the cause of the infection, you should also take paracetamol to relieve other symptoms. You can buy it without a prescription at any local pharmacy. Typically, the dosage is 500 mg every 4-6 hours.
- Paracetamol can help reduce sore throat by blocking pain receptors in the brain.
- Paracetamol will help bring down the fever.
Find out about the expected recovery period. An improvement in the symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis should be observed one to two days after starting antibiotic treatment. If you don't see any improvement or your symptoms are only getting worse, make an appointment with your doctor. Most people recover completely from bacterial pharyngitis within a week.

Part 2
Folk remedies to relieve inflammation
1. Drink plenty of fluids. When a person is sick, their body loses more fluid than usual. This is how the body tries to fight off the infection. Therefore, it is very important to drink plenty of water and maintain fluid balance in the body. The recommended rate is 2 liters of water per day.
  - You can also consume other beverages such as tea or fruit juices.
  - Warm water with added cinnamon, honey, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar has a relief effect on the throat.
2. Get plenty of rest. As with any infection, the person should get more rest (and sleep). This will strengthen his immune system and help fight the infection faster. In addition to speeding up the healing process, rest can help reduce the likelihood of complications from bacterial pharyngitis.
  - For the period of treatment, take a sick leave at the clinic, leave or leave at your own expense. Also cancel your participation in various activities.
  - Do not meet other people (do not go to work and cancel all appointments) so as not to infect others. Never go to work sick. By doing so, you only put other people at risk and may infect them.
3. Suck on cough drops. Cough drops can help relieve a sore throat. Some lozenges even have anesthetic properties, which will further ease the pain. You can buy lollipops at any drug store and in some large supermarkets.
  
  Gargle with warm salt water. Stir half a teaspoon (2.5 grams) of salt in a glass (250 ml) of water. Rinse your mouth with this solution for a few seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow liquid. Repeat the procedure as many times as necessary to reduce inflammation.
4. Use a humidifier. A humidifier increases the moisture in the air and helps relieve sore throat. Hot steam while showering will also have a positive effect. We recommend that you put a humidifier in your bedroom before going to bed.
  - Click here for more information on home remedies to help relieve sore throat.
Part 3
Prevention of transmission of infection
1. Stay away from other people while you are sick. Bacterial pharyngitis can be contracted by airborne droplets or by touching surfaces that the patient has touched. Therefore, if you have bacterial pharyngitis, do not come into contact with other people so as not to transmit the disease.
  - Take sick leave at work.
  - Avoid meetings to avoid infecting other people.

A disease such as pharyngitis is often found in people of any age. It is accompanied by an inflammatory process of the back of the throat. Depending on what became the causative agent of the disease, there are viral, bacterial, fungal and allergic forms. Antibiotics for pharyngitis are prescribed if the doctor has established the bacterial nature of the disease. This raises questions, which antibiotic is better, is it possible to avoid taking it in children? In any case, it is up to the doctor to decide how to treat the throat.

The sore throat symptom is typical for various diseases: tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, it also often accompanies tracheitis. A feature of pharyngitis is that the inflammation is localized on the back of the pharynx, and with tonsillitis - on the tonsils. Pharyngitis is characterized by the appearance of the so-called "throat cough", which is rare in tonsillitis. In terms of pain, these two diseases are similar, but with pharyngitis, an additional "lump" in the throat is felt. The place of localization of laryngitis is top part larynx. The vocal cords are located there, so there is severe hoarseness or loss of voice. At the same time, the pain is not felt strongly.

Accurate diagnosis of the disease and identification of its localization helps to determine the drugs for treatment. Before prescribing antibiotic treatment for pharyngitis, the doctor must establish the nature of the disease. Otherwise, it is difficult to guarantee a quick recovery. An incorrectly selected antibiotic will not give the desired therapeutic effect, and will only harm health.

It is possible to establish the presence of pharyngitis without special tools according to pronounced external signs:

the appearance in the throat of pain of varying intensity, often accompanied by dryness, soreness;
a sip of food or saliva is accompanied by unpleasant sensations; moisturizing the throat with plain water helps to get rid of it;
mucus accumulates on the back wall, which does not cough up, sometimes it causes a gag reflex;
there is a general intoxication of the body, accompanied by hyperthermia, weakness, increased drowsiness, the appearance of muscle aches;
lymph nodes increase.

Depending on the provoking factor that caused the disease, several types of pharyngitis are distinguished. If the cause is actively multiplying pathogenic bacteria, such pharyngitis is called bacterial, the virus is viral, the fungus is called fungal. In addition, an allergy to a chemical or other allergen can cause illness.

Sore throat is often traumatic in nature, for example, mucosal bone damage from fish. Statistics show that more than 70% of cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses, 20% - by bacteria, and all the rest - by fungi and injuries. Given this, antibiotic treatment is not always indicated; it must be prescribed by a doctor.

Varieties of the disease

Depending on the strength of the manifestation of symptoms, they are isolated. The cause of the acute form is often a runny nose (rhinitis), the causative agent of the disease is adenovirus. A purulent plaque appears on the back wall of the larynx, severe pain and coughing appear. The temperature can remain within normal limits, it will take up to 2 weeks to recover.

In chronic pharyngitis, patients notice constant "scratching" pain, dryness of the larynx, shortness of breath. Symptoms worsen after taking cold drinks or inhaling cold air. If pharyngitis is not treated, the disease "falls" below and turns into tracheitis.

There are several groups of factors that contribute to the development of chronic pharyngitis. The first group includes environmental factors: cold and too dry air, hot drinks, inhalation of tobacco and other harmful components. The second group includes viruses, fungi, bacteria. Their constant exposure leads to an incessant inflammatory process in the pharynx. The next group is allergens. When trying to cope with them, the normal functioning of the mucous membrane is disrupted in the body, irritation occurs.

Separately, it is worth noting the negative impact of bad habits and a decrease in immunity. Smoking leads to disturbances in the work of the nasopharynx, the appearance of a constant cough. With prolonged exposure to negative factors, a transition from a chronic form to an acute one occurs. Moreover, in addition to pharyngitis, the patient is worried about rhinitis and tracheitis. The symptoms and treatment of these conditions are very similar.

How is pharyngitis treated?

After the doctor has established the diagnosis and prescribed medications, you can be treated at home. The earlier treatment is started, the faster the effect will be achieved, and antibiotics for strep throat may not be needed. If it was not possible to quickly localize the inflammation, the condition began to deteriorate, then you will have to switch to stronger drugs. The form, dosage and course of the antibiotic may vary.

In the early days, the viral and bacterial forms outwardly proceed almost the same. Therefore, usually the doctor is in no hurry to prescribe antibiotics. They switch to them when the bacterial nature of the disease is clearly manifested. With viral pharyngitis on the 4th day, the symptoms do not worsen, and the cough is more moist. An indication for the appointment of an antibiotic is:

against the background of pharyngitis, an exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis occurred;
pharyngitis was joined by tracheitis, sinusitis or otitis media;
pneumonia, obstructive bronchitis develops;
there is an elevated temperature for a week;
For 2-3 days, the body temperature is more than 38.5 degrees;
persist for 3 weeks.

It should be understood that improper use of antibiotics for pharyngitis can lead to its transition to a chronic form. A timely appeal to a specialist will help prevent this. Treatment is usually complex and aimed at relieving symptoms, eliminating the cause of the disease. Washing and rinsing, irrigation with sprays help to reduce sore throat. If there is no high temperature, then physiotherapy is prescribed.

When should you stop using antibiotics?

On early dates antibiotic therapy during pregnancy is undesirable. The doctor selects the optimal regimen using topical preparations. They have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect. Only the possibility of complications and unfavorable development of the disease can become an indication for systemic antibiotic therapy.

Antibiotic treatment is not indicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to penicillins, renal or hepatic failure. It is forbidden to take almost all drugs during breastfeeding.

Antibiotics are prescribed with caution for pharyngitis in children. These drugs can cause irreparable harm to a small body, especially at higher dosages. Do not forget about side effects- dyspepsia, anemia, fungal diseases, edema.

Why and what antibiotic is needed?

The need to prescribe an antibiotic is explained by the ability to use it to solve several problems:

eliminate the causative agent of the disease;
remove symptoms;
prevent the development of complications.

When choosing an antibiotic, preference is given to a wide spectrum of drugs that help eliminate tonsillitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis. They are less harmful to the body, less toxic. To establish the nature of the disease and correctly prescribe an antibiotic, it is recommended that you first take a smear.

Antibiotics are of general and local action. Oral administration is recommended if a general infection of the body is detected, it has been established that pharyngitis was the result of other diseases, for example, bronchitis, rhinitis, otitis media.

If the affected area is small, then local remedies are preferred - aerosols, tablets for resorption. The advantage of such drugs is a local effect that does not extend to other organs. At the same time, the intestinal microflora does not suffer, toxic substances do not accumulate in the body. This treatment regimen is indicated for renal or hepatic insufficiency. Antibiotic pills can be administered even to a pregnant woman.

Which antibiotic should I give preference to?

When choosing an antibiotic, the doctor takes into account the patient's condition, age, the presence of contraindications, the type of pathogenic microorganisms. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

amoxicillin - available in capsules, refers to penicillins;
hexalysis - tablets of combined action for resorption;
azithromycin - a macrolipid, used in patients with penicillin intolerance;
cephalosporins - produced in the form of capsules, tablets, suspensions, referred to as broad-spectrum drugs.

What exactly to choose an antibiotic for pharyngitis in an adult or a child, in each case, the doctor decides. He also selects the dosage, sets the duration of admission.

The uncontrolled use of drugs, especially antibiotics, leads to serious consequences. To avoid them, follow simple rules. One of them is strict adherence to the doctor's instructions. The course of treatment should not be interrupted, even if the person feels well.

The maximum effect of antibiotics occurs at a certain concentration accumulated in the body. They do not work instantly, so it takes time to eliminate the pathogenic bacteria. If the medication is stopped earlier, the bacteria become resistant to this type of antibiotic. They won't help the next time.

Even the disappearance of acute symptoms does not mean that the bacteria are gone. If treatment is interrupted, then there is a high risk of re-development of the disease. It is unacceptable to take an antibiotic and drink alcohol at the same time. It is better to discuss the combination with other medications with your doctor.

The course of admission can be 5-7 or 10 days. It depends on the type of medication. If the effect does not occur, then the doctor must adjust the therapy. It is important to follow the rules for taking medications. The capsules are usually taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. They should be taken with a sufficient amount of water and should not be replaced with juice or other drinks. Use an aerosol or spray after meals. Then you should not eat or drink for an hour.

Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve puffiness and prevent allergies. Antipyretic drugs will help reduce the temperature. Additionally, you can use traditional medicine. Prevention of pharyngitis consists in strengthening the immune system, eliminating negative factors (alcohol, smoking, cold drinks).