Diagnosis | Inflammation in the throat

Diagnosis

The diagnosis in case of suspected inflammation in the throat comprises several steps. Probably the most important step is the detailed doctor-patient consultation (anamnesis). During this conversation, the patient concerned should describe the symptoms he/she has experienced as explicitly as possible.

Symptoms that do not directly affect the throat (such as fever, tiredness and fatigue) also play an important role in the diagnosis of inflammation in the throat. In addition, the doctor usually asks the patient concerned about possible nicotine and/or alcohol consumption. A truthful statement in this regard is particularly important because both frequent consumption of alcohol and smoking are risk factors for the development of chronic inflammation in the throat.

Diagnosis of suspected acute inflammation of the throat is usually done by endoscopic examination. If an acute inflammation is present, the posterior pharyngeal wall typically appears red and swollen. In addition, the endoscopic examination can reveal possible involvement of the palatine tonsils.

If there is a suspicion that the inflammatory processes are caused by a bacterial infection, small pustule spots may be visible in the area of the palatine tonsils. A smear of the palatine tonsils followed by a rapid test can help to detect a streptococcal infection beyond doubt.Since an inflammation of the throat is often accompanied by inflammatory processes in the area of the middle ear (middle ear infection), the ears should also be examined. In many cases, the typical eardrum image even allows a distinction to be made as to whether a viral or bacterial infection is present.

This distinction has a decisive influence on the choice of the most appropriate treatment measures. If the affected patient has unilateral swallowing difficulties and a mouth opening disorder, an abscess may have formed. In some cases, this abscess extends into the throat and can be detected in a simple mirror examination or during endoscopic examination of the throat.

In addition, an abscess in the area of the throat can be detected by means of an ultrasound examination or the preparation of a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT). The mirror examination also serves as a diagnostic measure in cases of suspected chronic inflammation. During the examination, a pale, smooth and varnished pharyngeal wall can typically be seen in the affected patients.

In addition, a possible obstruction of nasal breathing should be excluded by examining the nose. In addition to the detection of chronic inflammation in the throat, the causes of the inflammatory processes play a decisive role in the treatment. In principle, an inflammation of the throat can be an indication of HIV, but in no case is there a suspicion of HIV infection with every pharyngitis.

Usually, the initial infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) presents itself like a flu, so that pharyngitis can also be one of the initial symptoms. Anyone who has been carrying the HI virus for a long time must expect a significantly weakened immune system. This means that the body can no longer defend itself adequately against pathogens. Therefore, in the course of the disease, more and more frequent and severe infections occur. Especially in winter, people infected with HIV often suffer from infectious diseases that can also cause pharyngitis.