Introduction
An inflammation of the throat (lat. Pharyngitis) – colloquially also called sore throat – describes an inflammation of the throat. The beginning of the pharynx – the end of the oral cavity where the palatine tonsils are located – or the further back sections of the pharynx up to the larynx can be affected.
It usually manifests itself as a sore throat, which either occurs only when swallowing or is even stronger when swallowing than at rest. Because pharyngitis is often accompanied by a cold, coughing or even speaking is often painful. The pain can also radiate into the ear, and often pain is felt in the ear when swallowing.
This is how long an inflammation of the throat lasts
In principle, a distinction is made between acute and chronic pharyngitis. Acute pharyngitis is usually caused by viruses and is therefore also called viral pharyngitis. Typical pathogens are those viruses that also cause a cold: For example so-called rhino-, adeno-, parainfluenza- or corona viruses.
This is one of the reasons why pharyngitis and colds often occur together, and the pharyngitis is accompanied by a cold, headache and cough. Rarely – in an estimated 10% of cases in adults – a so-called superinfection with bacteria occurs due to the weakened immune system. This is called bacterial pharyngitis.
This is often recognized by purulent (white-yellowish) deposits on the pharyngeal mucosa. How long an acute pharyngitis lasts also depends strongly on the pathogen – although in viral pharyngitis no medication can fight the viruses as the cause of the disease, in 9 out of 10 patients it has disappeared again after one week at the latest. In the case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be administered – then the symptoms usually disappear within a few days.
It is important here that the duration of therapy prescribed by the doctor is nevertheless adhered to, even if symptoms are no longer present. Chronic pharyngitis must have caused symptoms of pharyngitis for at least three months to be defined as chronic. The most common triggers here are cigarette smoke and dusty breathing air, such as those found at certain workplaces.
However, allergies or problems with nasal breathing, which lead to a constantly blocked nose, can also trigger chronic pharyngitis by breathing through the mouth continuously. It is not possible to make a general estimate of how long chronic pharyngitis lasts, as the healing process usually takes several weeks to years. The progress of the healing process must always be checked individually with a physician by regular examinations.
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