The whole network is suffering from pharyngitis? Besides COVID-19, what else could it be? (With relief methods)

After the May Day holiday, some netizens posted on social platforms that they had a sore throat and an increasingly severe stabbing throat, which was similar to when they were infected with the new coronavirus. They were worried that they had "double positive".

#Is the whole country suffering from pharyngitis?# was once a hot search, attracting a lot of attention and discussion. Why is pharyngitis so common recently? Is it related to COVID-19 infection? In addition to COVID-19, what else could pharyngitis be?

01

Is sore throat related to COVID-19?

Similar to pharyngitis, dry throat, sore throat, and burning sensation in the throat are also typical symptoms after COVID-19 infection.

▍How to distinguish pharyngitis from COVID-19 infection?

Pharyngitis can be divided into acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis. Acute pharyngitis is caused by viral and bacterial infections, usually manifested by upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as dry throat, sore throat, itchy throat, and hoarseness; chronic pharyngitis is manifested by foreign body sensation in the throat and difficulty swallowing. The new coronavirus mainly invades the lower respiratory tract, and upper respiratory tract symptoms may also occur. In addition to sore throat, fever, dry cough, runny nose and other symptoms may also occur.

▍Is it possible that COVID-19 infection only causes sore throat?

Pan Hongying, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, said that at this stage, most people in my country have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and have experienced a wave of infections in various parts of the country at the end of 2022, and people still have COVID-19 antibodies in their bodies. Clinically, it has been found that patients who are infected with the COVID-19 for the second time generally have milder symptoms and less obvious sore throats. If the patient does not have a fever, it means that he is asymptomatic or has a mild illness, so he is also unlikely to have a sore throat.

▍What should I do if I suspect “double yang”?

Pan Hongying emphasized that if you have a sore throat, don't be too anxious and try to diagnose symptoms without authorization. If you have a fever and cough at the same time and suspect that you are infected with the new coronavirus, you can do a new coronavirus antigen test yourself. If the test result is positive, you should pay attention to self-isolation and go to the fever clinic for treatment. If the test result is negative, but the sore throat is obvious and cannot be relieved by yourself, you should also go to the hospital's ENT department for examination to rule out other bacterial infections and other problems.

02

In addition to the new crown, pharyngitis may also be caused by

The pharynx and larynx guard the respiratory tract and digestive tract, two major human passages, like door security. All kinds of bacteria, viruses, allergens, and irritants that come in from the mouth and nose must pass through them. The pharynx is covered with mucous membranes, and its self-defense ability is not very strong, so there are many reasons that can cause inflammation. The crowds gathered in tourist attractions during the May Day holiday, which provided a channel for the spread of other bacteria and viruses in addition to the new crown. Some people also smoked and drank heavily during the holidays and ate without restraint, which are factors that easily lead to pharyngitis and laryngitis. Many netizens posted hospital examination forms also showing that in this wave, there are many cases of pharyngitis caused by other reasons besides the new crown and influenza.

Both viruses and bacteria can cause pharyngitis and laryngitis, but the drugs used are completely different. Antibiotics can only kill bacteria, not viruses, and antiviral drugs can only kill viruses, not bacteria. Different types of antiviral drugs also "one key opens one lock". The new coronavirus drug cannot kill the flu virus, and the flu drug cannot kill the new coronavirus. It is best to use drugs for bacteria and viruses in a targeted manner under the guidance of a doctor. Some people take amoxicillin whenever they have a sore throat, which is not a good idea.

03

Seek medical attention promptly and be alert to danger signs

Adults with pharyngitis are advised to seek medical attention promptly if they experience the following:

● Fever above 38.5 degrees

● Severe throat pain, or pain that does not improve after a week

****● If you have other serious symptoms, mental depression, or blood oxygen index below 93, you need to call 120 or go to the emergency room immediately to prevent the throat from swelling too much, causing suffocation and endangering your life:

● Difficulty breathing

● The throat is so swollen that you can’t swallow saliva, causing you to drool

● Neck and tongue swelling, unable to open mouth or move neck04

How to relieve throat discomfort

Generally speaking, if you have sore throat caused by acute pharyngitis, you can take antipyretic and analgesic drugs orally and pay attention to daily throat care. Patients with strong resistance can relieve themselves within 2 to 4 days.

If the inflammation is severe, it may take a week or longer to recover. You need to see a doctor and take antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. In daily life, you can relieve sore throat and protect your throat by following the 5 methods below.

Ensure adequate water intake

A certain amount of humidity can moisturize and protect the pharyngeal mucosa. It is recommended that healthy adult men drink 1700 ml of water a day and women drink 1500 ml of water a day. Drink water frequently and in small amounts, and never wait until you are thirsty to drink.

Salt water gargle

Studies have shown that flushing the throat mucosa with salt water can kill bacteria and relieve inflammation.

Specific steps :

Add half a teaspoon of salt (a beer bottle cap) to a bowl of warm water (about 250 ml), and use it to gargle after the salt is fully dissolved. Hold it in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds, spit it out, and then rinse your mouth with clean water.

Steam throat moisturizer

Open your mouth and face the steaming cup of water at an appropriate distance. Be careful that the water temperature does not exceed 60°C. Do this twice a day for about 20 minutes each time. This will greatly relieve the pain symptoms in 2 to 3 days.

Throat lozenges

When taking it, it should be held at the root of the tongue near the throat. Do not chew or swallow it directly. Do not drink a lot of water within half an hour. It should be noted that most throat lozenges contain iodine, which can effectively inhibit bacteria. It should be taken under the guidance of a doctor. If there is no inflammation in the throat, try not to use throat lozenges.

Don't clear your throat too often

Frequent and forceful throat clearing may cause edema of the throat mucosa, acute and chronic pharyngitis and other problems. Speak slowly and avoid excessive use of the throat for a long time and at a high volume. (Source: "Life Times", "Dingxiang Doctor" WeChat official account)