Bacteria can be present in the body (mainly in the mucous throat and nose) for several months without any signs of disease. But if you just carry an infection, it does not mean that you can not transfer it to others. And you yourself can get sick at any time. It is only your immune system to relax a little - the bacteria immediately go on the offensive. And your throat will respond to their activities first. In such a situation, when the body is weakened due to stress, fatigue, lack of vitamins, the participation of the immune system in the fight against a viral or bacterial infection is minimal. Bacteria are activated and there are so familiar symptoms. The condition is very unpleasant, but it is easily curable today - with the help of older antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin (at least in many cases). But never start drinking antibiotics without consulting a doctor! It will burn useless or even dangerous!
What do we do with a sharp pain in the throat usually? We put ourselves a diagnosis of "angina" and start drinking tea with lemon and taking antiseptic tablets. The trouble is that people often confuse the initial symptoms of cold and flu. At the same time, they are diseases that have completely different nature. Flu is a viral disease, and a cold or sore throat is of bacterial origin. Accordingly, the treatment should be different. Colds (a more frequent phenomenon) develops within a few days and in the absence of complications, moving gradually, passes in a week. Unlike simple unpleasant sensations with a bacterial infection that will pass by themselves, the sore throat in the course of the flu should be cured with antibiotics. The problem should not be overlooked. If the throat is not treated, it can quickly lead to an aggravation of the situation and serious illnesses, such as bronchitis, laryngitis and even nephritis (which can damage the kidneys). Each of these conditions can be fatal.
Symptoms of bacterial infection
Typical symptoms of sore throat due to bacterial infection are:
• difficulties with swallowing;
• headache;
• high (sometimes more than 40 degrees) temperature;
Redness in the back of the throat;
• white polyps on tonsils;
Swollen glands on the neck;
• rash;
• Absence of cough, fever, or other symptoms characteristic of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Although streptococcal infection is the most common cause, some other types of bacteria may be responsible for acute sore throat. For example, staphylococcus and hemophilic infection. Stress, fatigue and adherence to the immune system to various viral infections weaken the defenses of the body and thereby increase the risk of bacterial infection of the throat. As in other similar conditions, this is typical in the cold winter months. Any disease of the throat can not be overlooked without proper attention and appropriate treatment, because it is very contagious!
Treatment of acute pain in the throat
In the past, in order to correctly diagnose the bacterial character of the pain in the throat, it was necessary to wait at least 48 hours for the test results. Only this way it was possible to clarify the question of the possible presence of bacteria. Therefore, there were serious delays in the appointment of treatment. Today there are fast tests that give results within 15 minutes. Positive indicator - the diagnosis is confirmed. It is very important at the initial stage to refute (or confirm) the presence of bacteria.
The main advantage of the rapid test is that, after confirming the diagnosis, antibiotic treatment can begin immediately. It is very effective and fast to overcome the situation. Usually a 10-day treatment with standard doses of penicillin (or another antibiotic) is sufficient. This reduces the period of discomfort and minimizes the risk of possible complications. After 24-36 hours after the start of treatment, the symptoms begin to subside.
Experts recommend starting treatment with various tablets or sprays that relieve pain immediately and facilitate the situation before you feel the effects of antibiotics. One does not contradict one another, but you will be much more comfortable.
Often people stop taking antibiotics, only feeling the first signs of improvement. This is completely wrong! On the one hand, it can lead to resistance to the disease and to its return, and on the other - to cause a delay in the onset of temporary complications that may even be life-threatening. Antibiotics always have a prolonged effect. That is, they begin to "work" only after a while. And stopping their reception in the middle of treatment is extremely wrong!
How to prevent sore throat
The best way to cope with the disease is to prevent it from appearing. We need to constantly monitor our immunity and support it during critical periods. The most difficult of them are seasonal, periods of severe stress, state after illness, pregnancy. You must take all protective measures to increase your immunity.
The easiest way is to wash your hands. The more often - the better. So you will destroy a significant part of the agents of the infection. Since bacteria can be transmitted through sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, touching objects - regular washing with warm water and soap is an excellent preventive.
You should immediately seek medical advice if the sore throat is accompanied by a fever. This is almost a sure sign of a bacterial infection, which is the reason to immediately begin treatment. You should not do anything with a sharp pain in the throat before an accurate diagnosis is made.