The throat is one of the areas most affected by the cold and humidity of winter, so we must avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent infections such as pharyngitis. Dr. Francisco Salaverry, otorhinolaryngologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, mentions that the use of scarves to protect the neck and not to breathe with the mouth open reduces the risk of suffering from this disease. He also provides us with valuable information on the subject.

What is pharyngitis?

It is an inflammatory process of a viral, bacterial, or allergic cause that affects the throat, particularly the pharynx.

What are its symptoms?

• Sore throat
• Difficulty passing food (dysphagia)
• General discomfort, such as joint pain or muscle pain

The causes that can lead to pharyngitis are:

• Seasonal changes
• Consumption of very cold or very hot beverages.
• Influenza processes affecting the upper airway, in this case, most of them are of viral etiology.
• Bacterial infectious processes that affect the upper airway.

What is the treatment of pharyngitis?

• 80% of cases of pharyngitis are due to a viral cause, which leads to symptomatic treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, nasal decongestants, among others. In addition, it is recommended to gargle with warm water and salt three times a day for five days, since the ideal is to wash the pharynx well.
• If the origin is bacterial, antibiotics such as amoxicillin or azithromycin can be used, which will be indicated by the specialist.

Our specialist recommends:

Seek professional help to avoid complications. Poorly treated pharyngitis can trigger ear inflammation. The specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment according to each patient’s evaluation.

Dr. Francisco Salaverry
Otorhinolaryngologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma