Symptoms and treatment of herpetic pharyngitis

Herpetic pharyngitis is an acute infectious disease caused by a viral infection. It is also relatively common among children and is a special manifestation of childhood colds. Among them, the symptoms of herpetic pharyngitis are relatively obvious, and patients may experience fever, sore throat and other symptoms.

1. Symptoms

"Herpetic pharyngitis" is a special manifestation of children's colds, which is more common in summer and autumn. It often occurs in nurseries and kindergartens, and is more common among infants and young children. It is caused by a virus called "Coxsackievirus Group A", so the white blood cell count in most children's blood does not increase or may decrease (the white blood cell count often increases during bacterial infection and is normal or decreases during viral infection). The clinical symptoms of herpetic pharyngitis include fever, sore throat, and the appearance of small blisters in the mouth, on the soft palate, tonsils, and uvula. In the early stage of herpes, there are small gray-white papules with red halos around them. Later, they turn into shiny blisters and then turn into small ulcers after breaking. In most cases, papules, herpes and ulcers coexist. Children often drool and refuse to eat because of sore throat. Because infants and young children cannot complain about their sore throat, they cry day and night and cannot sleep. The general course of the disease is about 7 days.

2. Treatment

Some antiviral drugs should be used to treat herpetic pharyngitis. If the condition is serious and the child has a high fever and cannot eat, drugs such as acyclovir can be given intravenously, which are effective against viruses. Those with mild illness can take antiviral drugs such as sirolimus or ribavirin orally. And symptomatic treatment should be given, such as using some antipyretic drugs. Chinese medicine can be taken orally as antiviral medicine, isatis root granules, and shuanghuanglian injection via intravenous drip. For high fever, you can use Zixuesan, antelope horn powder, etc. Decoctions often use heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs such as honeysuckle, forsythia, isatis root, mint, gypsum, bamboo leaves, and rehmannia.

3. Prognosis

When children suffer from herpetic pharyngitis, they should drink more water to help reduce their fever. Eat nutritious and easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as milk, rice porridge, and fruit juice. Children should eat small amounts and frequently, and should not be given spicy, sweet or fried foods. Open windows frequently for ventilation. Maintaining air circulation is an effective measure to prevent and treat chronic pharyngitis. Dry indoor air and excessive cooling, heating or humidity can affect the defense function of the pharyngeal mucosa, causing functional disorders and abnormal sensation in the pharynx, which can eventually lead to chronic pharyngitis. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth in the morning, after meals and before going to bed to keep your mouth clean. At the same time, preventing and treating oral and nasal diseases and eliminating inflammatory lesions are also helpful in preventing pharyngitis.