The doctor called the signs of a dangerous form of angina

Angina is often perceived as a severe sore throat with fever, but with streptococcal infection, things can go much further. Pathogen toxins can affect not only the tonsils, but also the heart, kidneys and joints, and in severe cases, a sore throat requires long-term medical supervision. Vera Seryozhina, an expert doctor at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia about this on March 15.

"Angina is an inflammation of the lymphoid pharyngeal ring, primarily the tonsils, which is associated with the proliferation of microorganisms in this tissue. However, it is important to distinguish it from chronic tonsillitis. In some people, opportunistic or pathogenic microflora is constantly present in the tonsils, which periodically leads to acute manifestations, but in this case we are talking about an exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis. Angina is considered as an independent infection, which is usually acute and is accompanied by more pronounced symptoms," the specialist explained.

Most often, the disease begins with severe intoxication: chills, weakness appear, and the temperature rises above 38 degrees. But one of the most characteristic signs of angina is a severe sore throat. Sometimes it is so pronounced that it is difficult for a person to swallow not only food or water, but even saliva.

According to Serezhina, on examination, the tonsils usually look enlarged, swollen and reddened. The inflammation can spread to the soft palate and the back wall of the pharynx. This pattern is typical for catarrhal angina. In addition, with angina, lymph nodes often enlarge — more often submandibular and cervical.

But angina can also occur in more severe forms — follicular and lacunar. With follicular angina, multiple white dots appear on the surface of the tonsils — in the medical literature, this condition is described as a "starry sky picture." In fact, these are purulent foci in the follicles of the tonsils. Lacunar angina can be unilateral. In this case, the amygdala is sharply swollen, and areas of necrosis appear on its surface, covered with purulent or fibrinous plaque. This condition requires the urgent appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the doctor added.

The most common causative agents of severe forms of angina are Staphylococcus and streptococcus. It is streptococcus that is considered a particularly insidious microorganism. It affects not only the tissues of the tonsils, causing severe pain when swallowing, but also releases toxins that can affect the cardiovascular system and kidneys.

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If streptococcal angina is not treated with antibiotics in time, serious complications can develop, including rheumatic damage to the connective tissue of the heart, kidneys and joints. Therefore, a person who has suffered from such a sore throat requires long—term medical supervision - in severe cases, disability may develop against the background of rheumatism.

However, this disease can develop not only as an independent infection. For example, with infectious mononucleosis, which is caused by the herpes virus of the fourth type, a picture of follicular sore throat is often observed. In such cases, bacterial flora can join the viral infection, and then antibacterial therapy is also required.

Before starting targeted antibacterial therapy, it is necessary to accurately identify the pathogen. To do this, the doctor takes the material for bacteriological seeding, which is performed for at least three days, sometimes up to four. After receiving the result, the doctor decides whether to continue the course or change the drug if it proves ineffective.

If you suspect a sore throat, you should consult a general practitioner, pediatrician, or an otorhinolaryngologist. The specialist will take the material for bacteriological seeding and, if there are purulent changes, prescribe antibiotics. With catarrhal angina, antibacterial therapy is not always required: sometimes local drugs with antibacterial action, means to increase local immunity and symptomatic treatment, such as painkillers, are sufficient. But in any case, bacteriological culture is necessary in order to understand exactly which microorganism caused the inflammation. After treatment, it is repeated to eliminate the preservation of flora inside the tonsils and the risk of a new exacerbation.

On February 17, internist Alexander Novikov reported on the danger of improper actions when trying to bring down the temperature with home experiments. According to the expert, rubbing with alcohol or vinegar is strictly contraindicated, since alcohol is instantly absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract, causing intoxication, convulsions, respiratory depression, and a sharp vasospasm.

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