Rhinopharyngitis
The rhinopharyngitis is a combined inflammation of the nasal mucosa ( rhinitis ) and throat ( pharyngitis ). The disease is mostly triggered by viruses , especially rhinoviruses .
to form
A distinction is made between acute and chronic rhinopharyngitis.
Acute rhinopharyngitis
It is usually caused by viruses ( adenovirus , influenza virus , parainfluenza virus ). Purulent rhinopharyngitis, which is caused by bacteria ( pneumococcus , streptococcus , staphylococcus ), sometimes occurs, especially as a result of virulent diseases . The children are hindered in nasal breathing and there is an increased nasal secretion . Especially with small children there are often drinking difficulties. The symptoms are mostly not limited to the nose , but spread to the larynx and ears .
Chronic rhinopharyngitis
Many infections in a row or a susceptibility to it can lead to chronic inflammation with constant mucous-purulent secretion . Other causes of constant infections in the nose and throat can be enlarged tonsils or chronic tonsillitis .
Allergic rhinopharyngitis
Many allergens cause allergic rhinopharyngitis with swelling of the mucous membranes and serous secretion. Often other organs are also affected ( conjunctivitis , asthma , eczema ). In the case of year-round occurrence, the house dust mite or animal hair are the main triggers. Seasonal allergic rhinopharyngitis occurs, for example, after exposure to pollen (trees, bushes, grasses, cereals).
Symptoms
Even before the secretion from the nose (colloquially runny nose) there is a general feeling of illness, burning and tickling in the nose and increased urge to sneeze. In the acute stage, clear and transparent liquid is secreted first, and swelling of the mucous membrane makes breathing difficult. A tough, slimy, and greenish phlegm can indicate a bacterial infection. In addition to having a cold , the throat is reddened and dry to the touch, swallowing is painful, and the throat burns and itches . A fever can also occur, especially children develop a high fever. With a bacterial infection, there are often “white specks” in the throat (pus deposits on the mucous membrane).
diagnosis
Diagnosis is primarily based on the anamnesis . The throat is also examined. If a bacterial infection is suspected, a swab must be taken from the throat, which can then be evaluated using a rapid test.
therapy
Nasal sprays and nasal drops cause the nasal mucosa to swell, which makes breathing easier. In the throat area, warm throat compresses, disinfecting mouthwashes, pain reliever lozenges and drinking warm drinks all help to alleviate the symptoms. Onset of fever can with antipyretic drugs ( antipyretics are treated). A purulent infection should be treated with an antibiotic .
As a rule, however, the disease is self-limiting after 10 to 14 days; the drugs do not fight the disease itself, but only alleviate the symptoms. The mucous membrane only recovers after three to four weeks, which makes it very susceptible to further infections .
literature
- Koletzko (2007): Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine . P. 375ff
- Ronald Eccles, Olaf Weber (Eds.): Common cold . Birkhäuser, Basel 2009, ISBN 978-3-7643-9894-1 ( online version at Google Books)
