Complications after a sore throat: what they are, how to avoid them. Complications of angina on the heart. Most common complications
Sore throat is an infectious disease accompanied by acute inflammation palatine tonsils and/or other lymphoid formations of the pharynx. For many people, all it takes to get a sore throat is to eat ice cream or get your feet wet. Development is also facilitated by other diseases of the nasopharynx and irritating substances that enter the pharynx (alcohol, dust, tobacco smoke and so on). The following can provoke the development of pathology: pathogenic microorganisms: viruses, bacteria and fungi.
In the article, we will look in more detail at the causes and first signs of tonsillitis, talk about symptoms in adults, and also tell you which treatment is most effective.
What is a sore throat?
Sore throat is a common disease, second in frequency to acute respiratory infections. viral infections and flu. Most often the palatine tonsils become inflamed. This is a seasonal disease, usually manifesting itself in the autumn and spring periods.
About 75% affect people under 30 years of age, of which the largest percentage belongs to children under 15 years of age (about 60%).
Sore throat is very contagious, so isolation of the patient is mandatory.
A sore throat is caused by various microbes, mainly streptococci, which enter the throat more often with household items used by a person with a sore throat (for example, dirty dishes and etc.).
In some cases, microbes located in the throat and usually not causing diseases, are activated under the influence of certain unfavorable conditions, for example, during cooling or sharp fluctuations ambient temperature.
Types and forms
Depending on the clinical course, frequency of the disease and the cause of angina, they are divided into different groups.
In adults, there are 3 types of sore throat:
- Primary tonsillitis. Primary angina is understood as an acute infectious disease of predominantly streptococcal etiology, with relatively short-term fever, general intoxication, inflammatory changes in the lymphoid tissues of the pharynx, most often in the palatine tonsils and the lymph nodes closest to them. Duration incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 3 days. Characteristic acute onset with hyperthermia, chills, pain when swallowing, increased regional lymph nodes.
- Secondary or symptomatic. Damage to the tonsils in the pharynx is observed against the background of such pathologies: diphtheria, agranulocytosis, leukemia, etc.
- Specific sore throat. Caused by a specific infectious agent (fungi, spirochete, etc.).
Classification of sore throats in adults:
- Catarrhal sore throat. Usually develops very quickly and acutely. In most cases, a person falls ill suddenly, with malaise, dryness and a sore throat. Duration from 3 to 7 days.
- Follicular tonsillitis. The most characteristic sign of this form of sore throat is the accumulation in the lacunae fibrinous exudate. At the same time, whitish plaques form on the swollen and hyperemic mucous surface of the tonsils, localized at the mouths of the lacunae. More often they are separate formations, less often they merge together and cover most of the surface of these organs. The duration of the disease is 6 – 8 days.
- Lacunar tonsillitis. The tonsils are affected in the area of the lacunae, with subsequent spread of purulent plaque to the surface of the palatine tonsils. When performing pharyngoscopy, infiltration and swelling of the tonsils, severe hyperemia and widening of the lacunae are observed. This type of sore throat lasts 6–8 days.
- Necrotizing tonsillitis. On the surface of the tonsils, large areas of dead tissue are visible, going deep and covered with a lumpy coating of gray or yellow-green color. Foci of necrosis become saturated with fibrin and become denser. After their removal, bleeding occurs, and then an ulcer up to 2 cm in size, with uneven edges, forms.
- Phlegmonous - this type of sore throat most often occurs against the background of supposedly passing classic signs tonsillitis - the tonsils begin to swell again, the soft palate turns red.
- Herpangina. Most often develops in children. Called A and is a highly contagious disease. The virus carrier is a sick person, in in rare cases they may be pets.
- Ulcerative-membranous is a sore throat without fever. The patient usually experiences necrosis of one of the tonsils with the formation of an ulcer. The patient complains about what he feels when swallowing foreign body, his salivation increases, and a putrid odor is felt from his mouth.
Causes
The primary focus of inflammation is formed in lymphoid tissue oropharynx. Causes predisposing to the disease may be local and general hypothermia, dusty and polluted atmosphere, increased dryness of rooms, decreased immunity, etc.
In most cases, angina develops, which reduce protective functions epithelium in respiratory tract, thereby opening the way for infection.
From person to person, sore throat is transmitted by airborne droplets or nutritional (food) routes. With endogenous infection, microbes enter the tonsils from carious teeth, paranasal sinuses () or the nasal cavity. When the immune system is weakened, sore throat can be caused by bacteria and viruses that are constantly present on the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx.
Ways of infection entering an adult body:
- Airborne (the most typical route of transmission).
- Enteral (together with contaminated dairy products).
- Hematogenous (with blood flow from organs and tissues infected with the pathogen).
- Endogenous (in patients suffering from gastroenteritis, purulent sinusitis, and caries).
- Artificial (during surgical operations on the nasopharynx and nasal cavity (traumatic tonsillitis)).
In addition, the following reasons can provoke the disease in adults:
- improper and irrational nutrition;
- severe fatigue of the body;
- living in unfavorable conditions;
- lack of sufficient sunlight;
- constant dampness.
Considering that sore throat in the vast majority of cases is caused by streptococci, and rheumatism and glomerulonephritis arise precisely from streptococcal infections, treatment begins with penicillin antibiotics.
Symptoms of sore throat + photos
Incubation period (time covering the period of introduction of a pathogenic factor into the human body before the first clinical symptoms) on average lasts about 10-48 hours.
Common symptoms of sore throat in adults:
- Temperature increase. Specific reaction the human body on the pathogenic activity of bacterial agents. High temperature promotes the rapid removal of toxins from the body, enhances the immune response, and also reduces the rate of bacterial growth;
- chills and malaise;
- headache appears due to intoxication of the human body with waste products of pathogenic microorganisms;
- increased fatigue;
- pain in the joints (the symptom is typical for both children and adults).
- Difficulty swallowing. This symptom develops as a consequence of inflammation of the tonsils. This reduces the opening of the oropharynx, which makes it difficult for food to pass through it. Also, when swallowing, pain increases, which causes the patient to be careful when making swallowing movements.
- If the disease is severe, then areas of necrosis that have a dark gray color form on the tonsils. Dead tissue is rejected, being replaced by defective areas measuring 10 mm.
Adults become infected from a carrier of the infection who sheds it during external environment. A significant role here is played by a close team at work, the use of shared cutlery and dishes, and a careless attitude to the rules of personal hygiene.
In the photo below, you can see what a sore throat looks like in an adult:
The photo shows an accumulation of pus on the tonsils - this is a characteristic sign of tonsillitis
| Symptoms in adults | |
| Catarrhal sore throat | The inflammatory process affects the mucous membrane of the tonsils, and provokes unexpressed pain during swallowing. Manifests:
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| It is purulent tonsillitis, and its development is accompanied by the appearance of suppuration on the tonsils in the form of light yellow bubbles. | |
The appearance of characteristic signs at any age:
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| Necrotic form | Accompanied by the following symptoms:
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| Viral | The main symptom of a viral sore throat is severe pain in the front of the neck. In addition, the patient experiences symptoms such as:
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What to do when the first signs appear?
The first signs of a sore throat appear very quickly. In most cases, a bacterial form develops, in which the patient complains of a sore throat and plaque on the tonsils. Viral sore throat is often accompanied by lacrimation, runny nose, and others. Treatment depends on the type of pathogen (bacteria or virus).
The patient is isolated in another room and given separate dishes and care items. He must comply with the following rules:
- bed rest in the first days of illness, especially at high temperatures;
- limiting physical activity;
- non-irritating, soft food, mainly vegetable and dairy, plenty of warm drinks.
Complications for the body
Despite the fact that sore throat seems to be a minor disease and many people ignore it complex treatment, it is fraught with numerous complications. Complications of angina are conventionally divided into local and general.
Local complications of sore throat:
- abscesses of surrounding soft tissues (formation of large cavities filled with pus);
- phlegmon (diffused accumulation of pus, unlimited);
- otitis;
- swelling of the larynx;
- bleeding from the tonsils.
Are common:
- rheumatism;
- kidney damage;
- gastrointestinal tract damage;
- penetration of infectious agents from the throat into the chest;
- spread of infectious agents into the cranial cavity;
- – the most severe complication of tonsillitis.
To avoid these complications, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time to choose the right tactics for treating sore throat.
Diagnostics
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should contact an ENT doctor or an infectious disease specialist. If this is not possible, a therapist or pediatrician can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, as well as family doctor. If complications develop, a cardiologist, nephrologist, and rheumatologist participate in the treatment of the patient.
When making a diagnosis, the clinical picture of the disease, anamnesis data are taken into account, and the patient is prescribed pharyngoscopy and a bacterial culture test. It is mandatory to carry out differential diagnosis sore throats with ARVI, acute pharyngitis and pharynx.
The main signs to identify a bacterial infection:
- severe redness and swelling of the tonsils and uvula;
- with areas of gray plaque;
- coating on the tongue;
- enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
- the formation of a peritonsillar abscess, in which one tonsil is pushed to the center soft palate, to the tongue, is a sign of severe disease;
- pain accompanied by drooling, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing and breathing.
Treatment of sore throat in adults
In most cases, treatment of angina is carried out on an outpatient basis, but in case of severe cases, the patient is hospitalized in the infectious diseases department. Do not forget that you should limit the patient’s communication with family members so as not to spread the infection.
Provide the patient with separate dishes and a towel. With proper and timely treatment, recovery occurs in approximately seven days.
Medicines are prescribed to the patient depending on what symptoms he or she has. In case of strong pain syndrome he needs to take anesthetic substances.
Drugs for the treatment of sore throat:
- Fusafungin (bioparox) - inhalation, 4 inhalations by mouth every 4 hours for 4-5 days. May cause irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, bronchospasm, and allergic reactions.
- Ambazon - keep the tablet in your mouth until it is completely dissolved (adults 3-5 tablets per day, children from 3 to 7 years old 1 tablet 3 times a day for 3-4 days). After taking the tablet, refrain from eating and drinking for 3 hours.
- Gramicidin - the tablet is kept in the mouth (behind the cheek) until it is completely dissolved. Use 2 tablets (one after the other for 20-30 minutes) 4 times a day for 2-3 days.
- In severe cases of the disease, the use of the following drugs is recommended: Hexoral Stopangin Strepsils Luxury Lugol.
- Antihistamines. The following drugs are indicated: Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol, Claritin, etc.
- To reduce body temperature and reduce pain, antipyretic drugs and analgesics are prescribed.
- For sore throat, the symptoms subside thanks to absorbable tablets with menthol-based drugs. Instead, you can use special aerosols. Their use helps relieve pain that occurs in the throat during a sore throat.
In that case, if the body temperature lasts more than 5 days, the treatment regimen should be changed, as this indicates its ineffectiveness.
Antibiotics
In adults, antibiotics may not be used at the first sign of illness. They are indicated only in case of bacterial nature of the infection. With correctly selected antibacterial therapy the patient's condition improves quickly. But the doctor’s task is not only to quickly recover the patient, but also to prevent the development of complications. This is achieved by completely destroying the pathogen, which occurs when antibiotics are used for at least 10 days.
How many days, in what way, and what dosage of the medicine should be taken is prescribed by the attending physician.
Gargling
It is important to remember that when gargling, pathogenic microorganisms are washed out from the mucous membrane, so this must be done as often as possible. When gargling at home, you can use the following solutions:
- herbal decoctions
- furatsilina
- hydrogen peroxide.
After recovery, the patient is prescribed a control laboratory test, and if signs of complications are detected, consultation and subsequent treatment with a specialized specialist is strongly recommended.
Diet
This meal includes the following dishes:
- Porridges made with water or milk (oatmeal, rice, semolina) are liquid in consistency, reminiscent of jelly.
- Puree soups, broths (with pieces of bread).
- The bread should be white, without yeast and not too fresh, but not stale.
- Boiled and preferably pureed or pureed vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, pumpkin.
- Pasta, but small ones are better.
- Boiled eggs, omelettes.
- Dietary fish varieties: bream, pollock, cod.
- Steamed or boiled dishes: cutlets, meatballs. They are prepared from dietary meat: chicken, veal, rabbit.
- Dairy products should be low in fat. Cottage cheese is taken to a cream-like consistency.
- Fruits need to be baked or boiled.
When treating tonsillitis it is necessary:
- reduce the amount of proteins (up to seventy grams), carbohydrates (up to three hundred grams), fats (up to about sixty grams);
- increase the number of meals up to five times, eat in small portions;
- boil food, steam it, and then serve it in chopped form;
- eat vegetables, various cereals;
- do not eat hot or cold foods;
- drink drinks containing vitamins: fruit drinks, herbal teas, sugar-free jelly.
Folk remedies
Traditional methods of treatment are aimed at reducing inflammation in the pharynx, strengthening the body’s defenses, speedy recovery after illness. For these purposes, decoctions of plants with anti-inflammatory effects (chamomile, sage, oak bark), teas and infusions of berries with a high content of vitamins (currants, cranberries, rose hips) are used.
- Calendula inflorescences, plantain leaves, wormwood herb- all equally. Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into 1 cup of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, strain. Gargle warm solution every 2 hours.
- Beetroot juice. Grate the beets, squeeze out the juice and gargle with it. Using the same analogy, you can prepare carrot juice, either used alone or diluted with beet juice.
- Sage leaf - 3 parts, chamomile flowers - 3 parts, love spell herb - 3 parts, brew 1 teaspoon of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Gargle for sore throat and.
- 3-5 pieces spicy cloves pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Take 50 g of the infusion, but you can take the whole infusion depending on the severity of the disease.
- Grate a glass of beets, pour in a tablespoon of vinegar, let the mixture settle. Then squeeze out the juice, gargle with it and swallow 1-2 tablespoons.
Forecast
As for the prognosis of treatment, for catarrhal tonsillitis the prognosis for treatment is favorable in all cases. The disease goes away especially quickly if treatment is started in a timely manner. Favorable prognosis for the treatment of follicular and lacunar tonsillitis. But they can still lead to development chronic tonsillitis.
Severe complications are caused by the transferred necrotizing tonsillitis any form of complexity. The most common complications are rheumatism and glomerulonephritis.
Prevention
Preventing a disease is always more profitable and easier than treating it. Prevention of sore throat is no exception. You can do some things at home simple procedures and follow the rules to reduce the risk of getting sick:
- In order to avoid contracting a sore throat, it is also important not to maintain contact with a person with a sore throat, not to use common household items, etc.
- Daily exercise, hiking on fresh air, rubbing and dousing cold water, cold and hot shower– all this can work wonders with the immune system;
- Proper nutrition. It directly affects the immune system, so it should be rich healthy food, which carries vitamins and minerals to the body, rather than fat and cholesterol.
- And one of the basic rules for adults is oral sanitation, timely treatment diseases such as caries, nasal congestion,...
At the first symptoms of a sore throat, be sure to consult a therapist or ENT doctor for proper treatment.
The first includes conditions that negatively affect the functioning of the internal organs of a person who has suffered the disease, and the second - those affecting a limited area of the body.
Local complications are easier to cope with, but the patient still experiences discomfort from them.
The consequences and complications of tonsillitis (this is another name for the pathology) arise for many reasons, including due to the patient’s failure to comply with the doctor’s recommendations.
How dangerous is a sore throat?
Many people consider a sore throat to be a non-serious disease: you can bring down the temperature with medications, but endure a sore throat and weakness in the body.
But such people are mistaken: the symptoms of pathology may not bother the patient, but possible consequences with tonsillitis, they are quite dangerous to health.
Complications of angina can be different - from an abscess developing in the peri-almond tissue to pathologies of the cardiovascular system and other organs.
Why do complications occur?
The causative agents of sore throat are staphylococci and streptococci. Penetrating into the human body, they encounter the immune system, which protects all organs.
The immune system begins to produce antibodies designed to destroy antigens of foreign bacteria.
But streptococci and staphylococci in their structure have antigens that are similar to the cells of many human organs: heart, liver, joints, etc.
The immune system cannot always distinguish which antigen is native to the body and which is foreign. When fighting foreign antigens, one of our own is also involved in the process.
Complications after a sore throat, occurring in any form, usually manifest themselves in the form of local changes in the tissues of the nasopharynx - abscesses and cellulitis, ear pain, etc.
Although they do not pose a threat to human life, they need to be treated. More dangerous consequences are general, affecting the internal organs of a person.
The reasons for the development of complications from sore throat in adults and children are as follows:
- untimely appeal to medical institution;
- incorrectly selected therapeutic course;
- abuse of antibacterial drugs;
- treatment only with traditional methods without the use of pharmacological drugs;
- patient's refusal to complete the drug course of treatment.
Complications on organs
Complications after a sore throat begin to develop a few days or weeks after recovery has occurred and the person feels an improvement in their condition.
The disease can negatively affect the functioning of the heart, kidneys, joints, and brain. Tonsillitis can harm the entire human body, causing sepsis ( general infection blood).
Heart complications after tonsillitis most often appear 2-3 weeks after recovery. Patients aged 3 to 40 years are more susceptible to developing heart disease after tonsillitis.
You can understand that pathology is developing by the following symptoms:
- pain and heart murmurs that occur regularly;
- shortness of breath, worsening with physical activity;
- swelling of the hands and feet;
- color change skin(pallor and cyanosis);
- low performance, excessive sweating, constant weakness;
- increased temperature and increased heart rate.
These are signs of rheumatic changes in the heart. They can lead to rheumatism of the joints. Treatment is necessary to avoid the development of thromboembolism.
Complications after a sore throat on the joints manifest themselves in the form of arthritis in both adults and children. The development of the disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- joints increase in size, swelling forms in their locations;
- pain not only at the moment of movement, but also in a calm state;
- swelling and redness of the skin over the joints.
The joints most often damaged are the knees and ankles. But small joints located on the hands can also suffer from tonsillitis.
Complications on the kidneys after tonsillitis in the form of glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis may appear 1-2 weeks after completion of treatment.
Pyelonephritis is a lesion of the renal pelvis. Inflammation can develop in two kidneys.
The person experiences the following symptoms:
- heat bodies;
- pain in lumbar region spinal column;
- frequent urge to go to the toilet.
With glomerulonephritis, blood pressure increases and blood is present in the urine. Both diseases require treatment in a hospital setting.
Most severe complication tonsillitis is sepsis, requiring immediate hospitalization of the patient and antiseptic measures.
The pathology is manifested by high temperature, rapid breathing, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, a sharp increase in lymph nodes, and the appearance of ulcers.
Other complications
Local complications from tonsillitis do not pose a danger to the patient, but it is necessary to treat them.
Among the most common complications are abscesses. They arise in the peri-almond tissue.
Abscesses cause a sore throat and fever. Patients experience swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes.
It also happens that it is difficult for the patient to open his mouth and speak. He tries to tilt his head in the direction where the abscess has formed. The patient is operated on, after which antibacterial measures are carried out.
Another disease that occurs due to tonsillitis is phlegmon. It differs from an abscess in that purulent inflammation spreads across soft tissues without clear restrictions.
Externally, this is expressed by swelling, swelling of the neck, redness of the skin, and pain. With this pathology, the temperature rises and weakness appears.
If phlegmon is on initial stage development, then treatment can be conservative. With further progression of the disease, the phlegmon must be opened.
After a sore throat, otitis media may appear. It is caused by pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the area eardrum or middle ear.
The resulting pus begins to put pressure on the membrane, breaks through it and flows out of the ear. A person's temperature rises, sharp pain in the ear, radiating to the teeth or temple.
The doctor prescribes antibiotic treatment. Sometimes surgery is required.
A sore throat can also lead to other complications, such as swelling of the larynx. This disease is sometimes fatal. The first symptom of the pathology is a change in voice.
The patient tries to cough, but there is no relief. Breathing problems gradually begin: at first it becomes difficult to inhale, and then to exhale.
The patient experiences fear of death. Due to lack of oxygen, skin color changes. Necessary urgent treatment in a hospital setting.
Consequences
U acute form A sore throat can result in chronic tonsillitis. This happens if the patient does not apply for medical care, trying to cope with the pathology on their own.
Rheumatic changes, which are complications of tonsillitis in adults and children, can lead to heart defects and further disability if treatment is not started in time.
You can't bear a sore throat on your legs. With tonsillitis, the consequences can be prevented if you seek medical help in time.
Treatment methods
Any consequences of a sore throat can be avoided if you promptly consult a doctor who will select a competent therapeutic course.
Treatment is carried out at home. Only children under 1 year of age and patients with severe pathology are hospitalized.
Depending on the form of the pathology, antiviral or antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain and lower temperature. The course of treatment lasts from 7 to 10 days.
Often, sick people turn to traditional methods of treatment - gargling with various infusions and decoctions, heating, etc.
You can use similar methods, but to prevent complications after tonsillitis from bothering a person, all procedures must be agreed upon with a doctor.
Sore throat - enough dangerous disease. It is not always possible to avoid its consequences. In this case, another disease must be treated - one that was a complication of sore throat.
How to treat chronic tonsillitis
Chronic tonsillitis is a consequence that cannot be completely cured.
To avoid life- and health-threatening complications, treatment of tonsillitis is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The following methods of getting rid of pathology are used:
- drug therapy;
- physical therapy;
- folk recipes;
- surgical intervention.
The doctor, when choosing a treatment method, is based on the form and stage of tonsillitis, on individual characteristics the patient's body.
Drug therapy includes taking medications: antiviral, antibacterial, antihistamine.
The doctor also prescribes medications that strengthen the immune system. Gargling with antiseptic solutions is prescribed.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out at the remission stage. Apply various methods: electrophoresis, laser therapy, UV irradiation, etc. The doctor chooses procedures depending on what is happening in the patient’s body.
Traditional recipes help reduce inflammatory processes, but are unable to completely cope with them, so they are used only as additional procedures.
Surgical treatment is prescribed when conservative therapy does not help. The operation is also indicated for those patients whose pathology worsens up to 4 times a year.
Without surgical intervention It is also indispensable in case of developing complications: damage to the kidneys, heart and other organs.
Prevention of complications
Preventing complications after a sore throat is not so difficult - you need to consult a doctor in time, while the disease is still in progress. early stages of its development.
It is also necessary to monitor your condition after recovery. At the first symptoms of an illness that may be a complication of a sore throat, you must contact a medical facility for help.
The article describes the main types of complications of angina, their symptoms and methods of treatment are given.
Purulent sore throat, or acute tonsillitis– a common and dangerous infectious disease. It is fraught with serious complications for the patient regardless of his age. The causes of the disease and the forms of its course are varied. They can be installed in the laboratory. The selection of treatment methods and the prescription of specific drugs depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Symptoms characterizing tonsillitis: high body temperature, pain when swallowing, purulent manifestations on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, cough. Sore throat itself is not so dangerous. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious harm. Necessary strict adherence medical procedures And bed rest. Serious harm to health is caused by complications after tonsillitis in adults, which can manifest themselves after a significant period of time (from several days to a month) after completion of treatment. Complications can be both local and general.
Complications from local sore throat
They are affected by pathogens to individual areas of the body damaged as a result of a sore throat. As a rule, they do not pose a serious threat to the patient, but nevertheless require a special treatment approach. What are the complications after a sore throat?
- Abscesses – large and painful purulent boils fabrics. Accompanied by high temperature (up to 40 ° C) and spasm of the masticatory muscles. The patient has difficulty swallowing food and turning his head. Dangerous due to the possibility of destruction blood vessels and the entry into them of bacteria that cause sepsis. Bleeding, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis cannot be ruled out. Abscesses can break out on their own or they can be opened surgically. In some cases, tonsil removal is required. The most difficult option is a retropharyngeal abscess. It occurs only in children due to the presence of lymph nodes. Creates breathing problems and causes suffocation. It can only be treated by surgery.
- Phlegmon. In many ways similar to an abscess. However purulent processes spread not only to the tonsils, but also to the tendons, subcutaneous tissue, muscles. Symptoms: sharp pains in the throat, slurred speech, change in voice, smell of acetone on the breath, profuse salivation, unnatural head position, increased body temperature. It is treated with antibiotics, but surgery can also be used.
- Otitis. It can be one-sided or two-sided. Treatment is carried out in combination with throat therapy. Apply strong antibiotics. Self-medication is unacceptable, since antimicrobial agents, if used incorrectly, will create a danger to humans. Bed rest is required. In case of bleeding, treatment is carried out in a hospital.
- Bleeding from the tonsils. Stop by ligating blood vessels or cold treatment (cryotherapy). The operation is often performed under endotracheal anesthesia (immersion in deep dream with muscle relaxation). Treatment at home is prohibited.
- Swelling of the larynx. Most dangerous consequence tonsillitis. Symptoms: difficulty breathing with signs of suffocation, bluish skin tone, sensation of a foreign object in the throat, pain when swallowing, high fever. At untimely treatment available death. Treatment is medicinal.
With timely and proper treatment local complications after tonsillitis great danger don't imagine. The disease quickly stops. Patients recover within a few days. Self-medication should be avoided, especially attempts to remove pus with foreign objects.
General or systemic complications
Why is sore throat dangerous?
To overcome negative consequences It is necessary to cure a sore throat, then observe bed rest for several days and avoid hypothermia. Subsequently use special drugs. Good effect brings physiotherapy.
Preventing complications with angina
Any doctor knows how to avoid complications after a sore throat. The main way combating complications of purulent sore throat - the use of antibiotics. They destroy bacteria and, therefore, prevent damage to body tissues. If they are used in a timely manner (no later than a week after the onset of angina), the effect will be high. Almost any complications can be avoided. It's important here correct definition medicinal drug.
Without participation qualified specialist it's impossible to get by. The principle of not treating the disease yourself should prevail. The same goes for diagnostics. There are many types of sore throats. It can be confused with pharyngitis. A prerequisite for any sore throat is bed rest. Carrying the disease on your feet should be avoided. At the slightest symptoms complications of the disease - contact immediately medical institution . Any delay can cause irreversible negative processes. Treatment must be comprehensive.
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Complications from a sore throat are even more dangerous than a cold. Such a cold as a sore throat happens to anyone at least once a year, even the most healthy person. As a rule, outbreaks of sore throat occur in the off-season, when the human body is most weakened by various natural factors, which provides an excellent springboard for the activation of various pathogenic microflora.
In most cases, the symptoms of a sore throat, that is, cough, pain and redness in the throat, go away in just 3-5 days. In rare cases of prolonged illness, symptoms may persist for 7-10 days. However, it is worth noting that not all cases of angina go away without a trace. Complications after a sore throat in children and adults are extremely dangerous and can significantly affect the quality of later life sick. Complications may appear a few days after the main symptoms disappear initial disease, and after 2-3 weeks.
Why are complications of sore throat so dangerous?
Sore throat is perhaps the most common infectious disease throat. Most often, this inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the throat develops due to an increase in the number of streptococcus bacteria, the number of which is controlled by the immune system, but when it is weakened, it can increase chaotically. Reasons for appearance various kinds complications lie in the fact that with an increase in the number of these bacteria in the body, the risk of their spread to other organs and tissues increases.
Currently, there is evidence regarding the autoimmune nature of many dangerous complications sore throat caused by streptococcus. The thing is that to suppress the infection, the body produces antibodies that must react to the antigens of pathogenic microorganisms.
However, streptococcus produces a complex of antigens that are very similar in structure to the connective tissue of joints, as well as tissues contained in the kidneys, heart and other organs. Due to this similarity the immune system starts to get confused and attack healthy tissue, which leads to their inflammation.
According to the second theory, cross-damage is possible, that is, first streptococcus bacteria enter the tissues of distant organs through the bloodstream, and then the immune system, reacting to them, attacks healthy tissues of the body. In some cases, complications after a sore throat are observed solely due to the fact that the person long time ignores symptoms, causing bacteria to multiply and affect other organs, including the heart, kidneys and joints. The most common complications are local, that is, chronic or acute. inflammatory diseases larynx and ears, but under certain conditions, distant organs and tissues can also be affected, which makes angina a very dangerous disease.
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Common complications to local organs
Local organs are most severely affected by streptococcal infection. Common local complications include:
- otitis;
- abscess or cellulitis of the tissue;
- mastoiditis;
- swelling of the larynx;
- chronic tonsillitis.
Each of these complications with angina is quite dangerous. For example, with otitis media there is inflammatory process middle ear with involvement of the eardrum. Most patients in this case complain of increased body temperature, general malaise, and, in addition, severe pain in the ear. With the development of mastoiditis, the symptoms are very similar to otitis media, but at the same time painful sensations given to the behind-the-ear area.
Abscess and phlegmon of tissue are also quite common complications after tonsillitis. With an abscess, a cavity with a clear outline appears, filled with pus. Cellulitis is diagnosed in cases where the purulent lesion has unclear boundaries.
The symptomatic manifestations of these two conditions are similar. The main symptoms are fever, enlarged lymph nodes and intense pain in the throat.
One of the most dangerous local complications with sore throat there is swelling of the throat. The first signs of such a complication first appear as difficulty swallowing and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Further, difficulty breathing may occur, and at first it is difficult to inhale, and then exhalation becomes problematic. Such a complication can lead to asphyxia.
Chronic tonsillitis is also a common complication. In this case, the inflammatory process may pass for a while and then appear again. As a rule, chronic tonsillitis is diagnosed in cases where the inflammatory process occurs at least 7 times a year.
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Complications to distant organs and systems
The inflammatory process and infection can spread to the tissues adjacent to the tonsils. In this case, damage to nearby large blood vessels may occur, including jugular vein. The penetration of bacteria into the veins can cause sepsis. To the most characteristic symptoms damage to blood vessels includes severe chills, high fever, neck stiffness and pain in this area. If pus has accumulated in the vein area, surgery may be required to drain it.
Rheumatism is one of the most dangerous complications of tonsillitis. Untreated tonsillitis often causes heart problems, and, as a rule, damage to the heart muscles is observed precisely against the background of rheumatic fever. In addition, with the development of a complication such as rheumatism, joint symptoms, swelling, erythema, etc. are possible. Rheumatism often affects the legs, since this is where the largest joints in the body are located. Knee joints Rheumatism can affect both children and adults.
Often, against the background of a sore throat caused by streptococcus, an inflammatory process in the kidneys may appear. This disease is called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. This complication is even more common than rheumatic fever, but less dangerous. In the absence of other kidney diseases, this complication usually goes away on its own, even without targeted treatment.
Another complication of tonsillitis and chronic tonsillitis that develops against its background is sleep apnea syndrome. With this deviation, short-term pauses in breathing during sleep are observed, which leads to the fact that a person wakes up in the middle of the night and cannot get a full night’s sleep.
Sore throat, at first glance, may seem quite harmless disease. General weakness, high fever for several days, sore throat - it seems like nothing to worry about.
But if we consider the large number of immunological and biochemical processes occurring in the body during this disease, then we can greatly reconsider our views. Most often, the cause of this disease is streptococcus, which has a number of insidious features.
Human immunity is designed in such a way that when pathogenic agents enter the body, antibodies are produced, which are proteins; their main purpose is to “destroy” the antigens of the microorganism.
Streptococcus contains a complex of antigens similar to joint antigens, renal tissue, cardiac muscle and some other tissues and organs. In other words, the human immune system does not recognize subtle differences between antigens and sometimes “attacks” its own tissues, leading to various complications.
What are the complications of tonsillitis?
After a sore throat, all complications are divided into two groups: local and general. During common complications of angina, a cascade occurs immune reactions with antigen and the participation of antibodies, which ultimately leads to damage to the kidneys, joints, and heart. Local complications are caused by local changes. Most often, they do not pose a great danger to humans, but still require certain treatment.
Heart complications
The most common complication is rheumatic damage to the heart muscle. Damaged during rheumatism connective tissues throughout the body, which are most often localized in the heart muscle.
Heart damage- This is a very serious complication, since it leads to the appearance of defects and disability in patients. As a rule, rheumatic damage to the heart muscle occurs in children aged 7-16 years. During rheumatic heart disease, inflammation develops - myocarditis. And they appear general weakness, pain in the heart area, possible shortness of breath. The temperature usually remains normal, which does not allow one to suspect a complication in time. But as the process progresses, an increase in temperature is likely, the occurrence of arrhythmias, the appearance of heart murmurs. This condition is dangerous due to the formation of blood clots in the vessels and the further occurrence of thromboembolism.
When the inner layer of the heart muscle is damaged, endocarditis develops, which is also most often found in children. The child develops swelling, a tendency to bleed, thickening of the phalanges on the fingers, it is noted elevated temperature body, signs of heart failure are added. Somewhat later, pain in the heart occurs, which often makes it impossible to determine the cardiac cause of this condition. As the process progresses, other complications appear after tonsillitis in children.
Separately, it should be emphasized that rheumatic damage to the heart muscle is dangerous due to the rapid development of valve defects. This lesion sometimes affects the pericardial sac. In these cases, pericarditis is considered, which may be exudative and dry.
- During dry pericarditis a person is bothered by pain in the heart that gets worse when coughing, take a deep breath, movements. Also concerned about chills, fever, and pain in the left side.
- Exudative pericarditis characterized by an excessive amount of fluid in the heart sac, which leads to compression of the esophagus, heart and other organs. Swallowing problems, pain, and possible shortness of breath appear.
Kidney complications
The kidneys are the second organ most often susceptible to complications after tonsillitis in adults and children. Kidney complications, as a rule, are expressed by glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, appearing a couple of weeks after the illness.
- During pyelonephritis, the renal pelvis is affected. Most often, only one kidney is affected, however, a bilateral process is not excluded. Body temperature suddenly increases to high levels, frequent urge to urination, pain in the lower back, chills.
- Glomerulonephritis is characterized by the presence of blood in the urine, an increase in blood pressure, the appearance of edema.
Both conditions require hospitalization with comprehensive treatment.
Complications on the joints
After a sore throat, among the most common complications, joint damage should be noted - arthritis, which is also rheumatic in nature. There is an increase in the size of several joints, their swelling, pain at rest and during movement. The skin over the affected joints is swollen and hyperemic. Joints are often affected lower limbs(ankle, knee). Also, during a rheumatic attack, small joints on the hands, wrist and elbow groups of joints can also be affected. Among other complications, the appearance of appendicitis and sepsis is likely (albeit rare) - a rather dangerous and formidable pathology.
Local complications of sore throat in adults and children
After a sore throat, otitis media often develops. Most often this condition occurs after catarrhal sore throat, but the appearance of otitis after other types of this disease cannot be ruled out.
Otitis is expressed by inflammation of the middle ear with involvement of the eardrum. Symptoms of otitis media are typical: general malaise, ear pain, and increased body temperature. In severe situations, this leads to complete or partial hearing loss. Sometimes mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid process) develops after a sore throat. Clinical symptoms resembles signs of otitis media, but pain appears behind the ear.
Cellulitis and fiber abscess
After purulent or follicular tonsillitis, phlegmon or an abscess of the peri-almond tissue may develop. The main difference is that an abscess is a cavity with clear contours filled with pus. Phlegmon is a purulent diffuse inflammation. The clinical symptoms of these conditions are similar: nearby lymph nodes become enlarged, a sore throat occurs, and the temperature increases. Often the pain is so intense that it makes swallowing difficult and forces the patient to clench his jaw. Treatment of phlegmon and abscess consists of providing surgical intervention removal of pus.
Swelling of the larynx
Among local complications, swelling of the larynx deserves great attention. At the first stage, the voice changes, patients try to clear their throat, but this does not give significant results. IN further swelling increases, leading to breathing complications: at first it becomes difficult to inhale, and then exhale. Due to insufficient breathing, the skin becomes bluish. Swelling of the larynx is a very dangerous complication that can be fatal.
Often phlegmonous tonsillitis leads to bleeding from the tonsils. They appear during damage to the arteries that feed the palatine tonsils. This condition requires urgent assistance.
During infection suppression purulent sore throat in the first stages of development, the continuation of the spread of the disease stops. Otherwise, pathogenic microorganisms spread to other organs and tissues. What causes diseases varying degrees severity depending on the time of treatment.
The consequences develop gradually and become chronic nature, however, they can appear so quickly that even under intensive care conditions it will be impossible to take measures to save the patient. That is why there is no need to delay treatment. The most dangerous are the following negative consequences:
- Rheumatic acute fever– This disease in medicine is called rheumatism. It can affect the skin, joints and heart.
- Streptococcal shock sometimes spreads so rapidly that resuscitators simply cannot save the patient.
As a result of this impact, the development occurs:
- Polyarthritis is an inflammatory process of the joint parts of the body;
- Choreas - nervous disorder, which is associated with infection in the brain of the head;
- Rheumatic carditis - accompanied by a feeling of pain in the area of the heart, which intensifies and becomes more frequent over time. The result is the development of heart disease.
Features of complications in children
The consequences of the disease in children often have a different clinical picture, unlike adults, because their body reacts differently. These complications include otitis media. Streptococcal tonsillitis in some cases leads to the development of scarlet fever. The most vulnerable age is the period of 4-8 years, since the child’s body does not have antibodies from the causative agent of the disease. When the tonsils become inflamed, then weak blood vessels Children may bleed, especially when coughing. When such symptoms are present, the child must be immediately examined by a doctor.
The rheumatic process that develops after illness provokes endocarditis. Swelling occurs. External symptoms endocarditis may be similar to symptoms characteristic of heart failure. But heart pain often appears later than other symptoms. In addition, at the age of 5 years, a child may have suppuration of the lymph nodes, after which they disappear. Because of this, the larynx begins to narrow, creating a high risk of suffocation. Effective way Getting rid of these ulcers is surgery.
How to prevent complications?
To avoid the occurrence of such severe and dangerous complications, the following rules must be followed:
- Adequate and early treatment tonsillitis. Local therapy should include regular irrigation and rinsing of the throat with antiseptics, and lubrication of infected tonsils. Taking into account causative factor appropriate medical treatment (antivirals, antibiotics).
- Sore throat in any form requires bed rest, even when the temperature normalizes, but while some changes in the oropharynx persist. The required duration of bed rest is up to 7-10 days. If this rule is violated, rheumatic lesions of the kidneys, joints, and heart usually form.
- After a sore throat, it is necessary to follow a restrictive regime: do not overcool, avoid significant stress. These recommendations must be followed for at least a month.
- Consumption required large quantity fluid, this ensures the elimination of toxins by the kidneys.
- It is necessary to increase the activity of the immune system. Such mild natural immunostimulants as decoctions of rose hips, feijoa with honey can help with this.
- And finally, of no small importance is dynamic observation with a doctor with regular monitoring laboratory examinations and functional activity of systems and organs that are at risk of complications.
Here are five main components that must be followed to defeat the disease:
- Use of antibiotics, which only a doctor must prescribe.
- Usage auxiliary drugs . Antipyretics, lozenges, antiseptics, etc. They will help relieve or relieve symptoms.
- The use of folk remedies V. Beetroot juice, compresses, drinks from herbal infusions, for example, a monastic collection.
- Peace. This is important! If you are sick, you must strictly follow bed mode.
- Lifting immunity. Why do you need to harden yourself, eat vegetables and fruits, take special vitamins to boost immunity.
A sore throat is dangerous not so much for its tonsillitis as for the complications that arise after it. To avoid complications, the disease must be recognized as early as possible and promptly treated. adequate treatment. Most often, it is untreated tonsillitis that causes further complications. Therefore, when treating a sore throat, you should not self-medicate folk ways, and observation by a doctor who will prescribe effective drugs and will monitor the entire healing process.
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