Plaques in the throat and other symptoms of angina

Palatine tonsils, commonly known as angina, are clumps of lymphatic tissue located on both sides of the oropharynx under the soft palate. In addition, they constitute the first defensive barrier against microorganisms pathogens originating from the respiratory tract or oropharynx.

Tonsillitis is an infectious disease acquired by contagion through the air (by coughing or sneezing) or by direct contact (exchange of saliva, contact with contaminated objects, intimate contact). The incubation period of the disease varies between 12 hours to 5 days since the contagion occurred.

Virus infection

The most common cause of acute tonsillitis is colonization of the tonsil by viruses that generally affect the respiratory tract; other viruses such as the one responsible for the (or kissing disease) herpes or HIV are also causes of tonsillitis. In this type of infection, the throat shows plaques for several days and resolves spontaneously without leaving sequelae.

Viral tonsillitis symptoms

• Gradual onset and progressive worsening
• Moderate fever (generally below 39ºC)
• Moderate sore throat
• Presence of small nodes in the neck
• Redness of the tonsils
• Mild-moderate increase in the size of one or both tonsils.
• Little effect on the general condition.

Viral tonsillitis treatment

It is symptomatic through the use of antipyretics-analgesics for the control of fever and pain. It is advisable to take warm crushed food and cold drinks or at room temperature. Rinses with antiseptic mouthwashes several times a day can prevent colonization of the pharynx or tonsils by bacteria.

bacterial infection

The second most common cause of acute tonsillitis is colonization of the tonsil by bacteria that usually come from the skin, oropharynx, or respiratory tract. The most common type is strep throat caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus. When angina infection is caused by a bacterium it usually resolves with adequate antibiotic treatment within a few days. Untreated strep throat can lead to rare complications such as acute or rheumatic fever.

Bacterial tonsillitis symptoms

• Abrupt onset and impairment of the general condition
• High fever (generally higher than 39ºC)
• Increase in the size of the neck ganglia, being painful on palpation.
• Other symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain are common.
• Very red sore tonsils, enlargement of one or both tonsils with the presence on the surface of red dots (small hemorrhages), pockets of pus (bacteria) or whitish plaques.

Bacterial tonsillitis treatment

Requires the use of a specific antibiotic against the germ causing the infection, in addition to symptomatic treatment through the use of antipyretic-analgesics to control fever and pain. It is advisable to take warm crushed food and cold drinks or at room temperature. Requires the use of a specific antibiotic against the germ causing the infection, in addition to symptomatic treatment through the use of antipyretic-analgesics to control fever and pain. It is advisable to take warm crushed food and cold drinks or at room temperature.

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What you should know:

• Angina infection of patients immunosuppressed or diabetic may be caused by colonization of the amygdala by pathogenic fungiand need hospital admission.
• Sometimes it is necessary to perform complementary diagnostic tests such as one or the taking of a sample of exudate of angina to be able to establish exactly the responsible germ.
• Infections that present with a significant impairment of the general state or with difficulty for the passage of air through the oropharynx require hospital admission for treatment.
• The tonsillectomy or the amygdala is reserved for highly selected patients.

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