Tonsillopharyngitis is a common condition that consists of an infection of the pharynx and the tonsils. The vast majority of cases are due to a virus, but could also have a bacterial etiology. This means the symptoms vary from one case to another.
Bacterial tonsillopharyngitis is actually quite common in children under 3 years of age. For this reason, it’s more common for this condition to occur during the winter months as viruses have an advantage.
Adults can also experience this disease, a benign condition that usually resolves in a short time. Complications could occur though. Continue reading this article to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What are the causes of tonsillopharyngitis?
Many people currently think that things like eating frozen treats, walking barefoot, or not keeping warm can cause tonsillopharyngitis, colds, and flu, among others. This isn’t the case, however. It’s an infectious condition acquired by contact with a virus or bacteria.
Most cases spread through the air, by droplets expelled when coughing or sneezing. It can also be due to direct contact with someone who already has the bug. The most common microorganisms that cause it are:
- Viruses such as adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and rhinovirus.
- Bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes.
These are the ones most frequently implicated in this condition, although many other microorganisms can cause it. The most important thing is to distinguish it through symptoms or tests, be it a virus or a bacteria.
Symptoms
As we said above, the symptoms of tonsillopharyngitis vary depending on whether it’s due to a virus or bacteria. However, both cases will most likely manifest with fever, sore throat, and a headache.
Viral tonsillopharyngitis starts gradually and its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold — mild discomfort, slight fever, and tiredness. Furthermore, the tonsils and pharynx are usually red and swollen.
The bacterial form is more intense. It begins abruptly, with a high fever and increased discomfort. The cervical nodes tend to swell and the tonsils are often purulent. In addition, red spots may appear on the roof of the mouth. Sometimes there’s even a skin rash.
Treatment for tonsillopharyngitis
Usually, the cause of tonsillopharyngitis can be determined by the symptoms. The attending doctor must explore the throat to check for any pus oozing from the tonsils. They’ll also evaluate the degree of inflammation. However, this bug isn’t always easy to identify.
Moreover, proper diagnosis is important because the treatment varies depending on the cause. In fact, doctors sometimes do microbiological analyses to determine it.
For instance, they may do a rapid antigenic detection test as it allows them to know if it’s due to Streptococcus pyogenes. They may also take a culture of the pharyngeal exudate, although this is a much slower process.
Once they know whether the cause is bacterial or viral, they’ll choose the appropriate treatment. For example, they’ll prescribe an antibiotic if the condition is bacterial. Oral penicillin for a week to ten days is the more common approach.
In contrast, viral tonsillopharyngitis doesn’t require antibiotics. Hence the importance of distinguishing between one and the other. This is because unnecessary antibiotics only decrease resistance is created in the microorganisms. In these cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are simply recommended to relieve pain.
The most important course of action is to consult a physician if necessary and not to take any medications they don’t prescribe.
