Text A. Types of Throat Disorders

Part I. Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat (pharynx) usually caused by a virus but also commonly caused by bacteria.

Pharyngitis can occur in viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, and infectious mononucleosis and in bacterial infections such as streptococcal infections (strep throat) and sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, for example).

Symptoms, which include a sore throat and pain when swallowing, are similar in viral and bac­terial pharyngitis. In both, the mucous membrane that lines the pharynx may be mildly or severely inflamed and may be covered by a whitish membrane or a pus discharge. Fever, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, and a high white blood cell count typify both viral and bacterial pharyn­gitis but may be more pronounced in the bacterial form.

Treatment

Common analgesics, throat lozenges, or warm salt-water gargling can relieve throat discomfort, but aspirin must not be taken by children and ado­lescents under 18 because it can result in Reye's syndrome. Antibiotics don't help if the infection is viral but may be prescribed if a doctor strongly suspects that the infection is bacterial. Other­wise, no antibiotic is given until laboratory tests have confirmed a diagnosis of bacterial pharyn­gitis. If tests indicate that the pharyngitis is caused by a streptococcal infection (strep throat), a doctor prescribes penicillin, usually in tablet form, to eradicate the infection and prevent complications such as rheumatic fever. People known to have an allergy to penicillin may take erythromycin or another antibiotic instead.

 

Two Types of Pharyngitis
Viral Pharyngitis	Bacterial Pharyngitis
Usually no discharge of pus in the throat	Discharge of pus in the throat fairly common
Mild or no fever	Mild to moderate fever
Normal or slightly high white blood cell count	Slightly to moderately high white blood cell count
Normal or slightly enlarged lymph nodes	Slightly to moderately enlarged lymph nodes
Throat swab test negative	Throat swab test positive for strep throat
No bacteria grow in laboratory culture	Bacteria grow in laboratory culture

Part II. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils usually caused by a streptococcal or, less commonly, a viral infection.

Symptoms include a sore throat and pain that's aggravated by swallowing. The pain is often felt in the ears because the throat and ears share the same nerves. Very young children may not say that their throat is sore but may refuse to eat. Fever, a generally sick feeling (malaise), head­aches, and vomiting are common.

The tonsils are swollen and bloodshot. A doc­tor may see pus and a membrane – white, thin, and confined to the tonsil – that can be peeled away without causing bleeding. A throat swab (a sample of pus or mucus taken from the back of the throat with a cotton-tipped applicator) is sent to the laboratory, which cultures any bacteria on the swab and determines which antibiotics are effective against them.

Treatment

Symptoms of viral tonsillitis are relieved in the same ways as those of pharyngitis. For streptococcal tonsillitis, penicillin is taken by mouth for 10 days – considerably beyond the time a person feels well – to ensure that the bacteria have been eradicated. Throat swabs from family members may also be cultured so that those who arein­fected with the same type of bacteria but have no symptoms (symptomless carriers) can be identified and treated. Removing the tonsils is rarely necessary unless the tonsillitis returns repeat­edly or is only briefly controlled by antibiotics.

Part III. Laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx).

The most common cause is a viral infection of the upper airways, such as the common cold. Laryngitis also may accompany bronchitis, pneu­monia, influenza, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, diphtheria, or any inflammation or infec­tion of the upper airways. Excessive use of the voice, allergic reactions, and inhalation of irri­tants such as cigarette smoke can cause short-­lived (acute) or persistent (chronic) laryngitis.

Usually, an unnatural change of voice, such as hoarseness or even loss of voice, is the most noticeable symptom. The throat may tickle or feel raw and a person may have a constant urge to clear the throat. Symptoms vary with the severity of the inflammation. Fever, a generally sick feeling (malaise), difficulty in swallowing, and a sore throat may occur in severe infections. Swelling (edema) of the larynx may make breathing diffi­cult. Using a small angled mirror such as those used by dentists, a doctor sees a mild to marked reddening of the lining of the larynx, which also may be swollen.

Treatment of viral laryngitis depends on the symptoms. Resting the voice by not speaking, or speaking only in a whisper, and inhaling steam relieve symptoms and help the sore areas heal. Treating bronchitis, if present, may improve the laryngitis. An antibiotic given by mouth is helpful when the infection is caused by bacteria.

Notes:

voice box гортань

vocal cords голосовые связки

strep throat стрептококковое воспаление горла, острый фарингит

throat swab мазок из зева

whooping cough коклюш

measles корь

tickle щекотание, щекотать; чувствовать щекотание

urge позыв

inhaling steam вдыхание пара