Angina - tonsillitis acuta, angina) - cause pathogenic viruses and bacteria. An important role in the development of bacterial angina is residing in the throat of a small number of pathogenic bacteria from the group of streptococci and local weakening of the immune system, which allows their rapid development.
VIRUS ANGINA
Viral prologue
The initiator of strep throat may be viral infection of the upper respiratory tract causing throat inflammation. Viruses that infect the nose and throat cause abundant production of inflammation mediators and severe irritation of the nasal and throat mucosa. Symptoms of pharyngitis include difficulty in swallowing caused by acute pain and discomfort. Often accompanied by a runny nose and a dry cough. The mucous membrane of the throat is congested.
How often do we have viral angina?
It is believed that viral infection is the cause of acute tonsillitis in more than 70% of cases. The most common are infections caused by: adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses (Coxackie virus), RS, parainfluenza, Epstein-Barr virus.
The specificity of viral angina - symptoms
A typical symptom of viral tonsillitis is the so-called angina erythematosus, which is characterized by a strong hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the throat. To be precise, the congestion of palatal arches, tonsils and the back of the throat. There are no raids on the tonsils, only serous exudate in the tonsides. But be careful! Symptoms of this angina often coexist with symptoms of acute rhinitis and laryngitis - so they can be somewhat masked ..
Viral angina can enlarge the pharyngeal tonsil
Inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils in children, especially in viral angina, may also affect the pharyngeal tonsil. With the enlargement of the palatine tonsils - this causes nasal obstruction and impaired breathing during sleep.
How to distinguish viral angina from other forms?
Viral warts usually last for 5-7 days - similarly as viral colds. The symptoms of streptococcal angina persist longer, and the symptoms of strep throat accompanying infectious mononucleosis may be present for many weeks.
We distinguish the following forms of viral angina:
This viral infection is most common in children under the age of 9 with an incompletely mature immune system. It is also common in adults. Occurs most often in the winter and spring, when it further weakens the immunity lack of vitamins, heat and sun.
Viral angina caused by Coxackie viruses
This particular type of viral angina, caused by Coxackie viruses, so-called angina herpetica is characterized by the appearance on the palatal-lingual arches and the tongue of small vesicles, which, when bursting, form very painful ulcers. The disease runs with high fever.
Angina accompanying other viral diseases
The symptoms of viral angina may also be accompanied by infectious mononucleosis. They also occur in the course of herpes, shingles, measles, rubella, common parotitis and influenza.
The basic complaint is a sore throat, intensifying when swallowing, which can radiate to the ear. There is a high fever, painful enlargement of the lymph nodes of the neck.
DANGEROUS COMBINATION - BACTERIAL ANGINA
How often do bacterial angina attack us?
Bacterial infections constitute 10-30% of tonsillitis. They infect and cause tonsillitis mainly of purulent A group A streptococci.It most often infects streptococcus Streptococcus pyogenes group A (90-95% bacterial angina).
Other bacterial angina
Possible but also rare is infection with non-streptococcus angina - Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (K +), Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae.
Bacterial angina induced by streptococcal.
This type of angina, caused by streptococci, called Streptococcus pyogenes group A, accounts for 90-95% of bacterial angina. In many people this microorganism is present on the tonsils in an asymptomatic way, but in case of rapid cooling or overheating or other weakening of local immunity - in unfavorable conditions - from an innocent colonizer becomes a dangerous aggressor and causes streptococcal angina, which is clearly different from infection viral. In the "streptococcal" throat, the throat is intensely congested and there is a high fever; however, it is not accompanied by a runny nose, hoarseness or runny nose - typical symptoms of nasopharyngitis which may occur without a fever or low fever.
Is streptococcal infection dangerous to health?
This microorganism is particularly dangerous because it can cause rheumatic disease as well as acute nephritis. This, like other streptococci, produces at least 20 toxic compounds that damage the patient's tissues. The most important of them are streptolysin O and S, causing the breakdown of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and damage to other cells. Streptococci also produce other toxins, including those that cause high fever, as well as exotoxin A - which is responsible for toxic shock syndrome.
Recognition of streptococcal strep throat
Growth of streptococcus from throat and tonsil swab is considered so-called gold standard for streptococcal angina recognition. In the '80s, rapid tests were made to determine if streptococci are present in the infection - ie in the swab taken from the throat. The accuracy of these tests is about 60-90%, which greatly facilitates diagnosis and treatment, but it relieves the performance of the so-called the culture, the result of which is evaluated under the microscope, is the basis for the diagnosis.
Possible symptoms of streptococcal angina
The disease is manifested by a sore throat and difficulty and pain in swallowing, ear pain, headache and general malaise, often abdominal pain. The palatine tonsils are enlarged and bloodshot, and pus may escape from their crypts. The mucous membrane of the throat is changed inflamed - red. In most patients it is swollen, with the exudation of blood plasma. Neck lymph nodes are enlarged and painful. Vomiting and abdominal pain may occur.
Angina Plauta and Vincent
This bacterial angina, occurring mainly in men, has an atypical course. The changes occur on 1 tonsil and have the character of a dirt gray tarnish. The main complaint is slight throat pain - on the side of the altered tonsil - they intensify when swallowing. Lymph nodes on the side of the sick tonsil are enlarged. The unpleasant smell from the sick mouth is characteristic. X5
Diphtheria
This form of bacterial angina (caused by diphtheria, etc.) affects mainly children and is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by bacteria. Most children are immune to it thanks to di-te-per (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccination.
Why does diphtheria endanger children's health and life?
This disease can cause pneumonia and heart failure due to paralysis of the stimulus-conducting system of the heart muscle. They can also affect the muscles of the limbs under its influence.
When can diphtheria infect?
Infection may occur when the child has not been subject to compulsory vaccination for some reasons or has not yet undergone a basic vaccination course. Since diphtheria is transmitted by sneezing, coughing and even by touch, a child with diphtheria should be isolated from the environment.
Typical symptoms of diphtheria
Diphtheria starts like angina: inflammation, sore throat, headache. The child has a cough and a husky voice and a temperature above 38 ° C. and a bad smell from the mouth. The lymph nodes can be very enlarged. Whitish blooms appear on the tonsils.
Ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Literature:
1. Inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and throat in children - prof. dr hab. med Grażyna Niedzielska from the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Medical Academy in Lublin; Medycyna Rodzinna 8 (4/1999)
2. Throat inflammation in children - Dr n. Med.Teresa Oleniacz; Department of Audiology, Phoniatrics and Laryngology IP-CZD; Warsaw; Health Service No. 3-4 2001
3. The role of purulent streptococci in pharyngitis and tonsillitis, Danuta Dzierżanowska, Lek_Sandoz-2004 website
4. Apothecary counseling - Treatment of colds - Doc. dr hab. Jadwiga Leszczyńska - Gazeta Farmaceutyczna 2000.
5. The child - guide A to Z - dr. Miriam Stoppard Atena Publishing House
6. Home medical guide s 348 WZWL, 1992
