What is a lateral gangina?
The lateral gangina is roughly speaking an inflammation of the pharynx. In contrast to very common rickets and pharyngitis, only two vertical areas of the throat are reddened and may be covered with small purulent spots. In concrete terms, this is an inflammation of the lymphatic system, which is located in this area under the mucous membrane of the throat. This infection of the pharynx is relatively rare. In addition, there is an even rarer chronic lateral strangulation, i.e. a permanent slight inflammation of the lymphatic channels.
Treatment of a lateral gangina
The treatment of the disease in this case depends on the strength and the underlying pathogen. As mentioned above, antibiotic treatment is only useful if the cause is actually bacterial. The purulent coatings of the side strands can be a good indication that bacterial pathogens are involved.
Only in exceptional cases do viruses cause local pus formation. As a rule, however, the lateral strand gangina heals without medical intervention, so that antibiotics should really only be used in severe cases that cannot be treated otherwise. Viral infections are always treated symptomatically.
However, it is advisable for all those affected, whether bacterial or viral, to take it easy during the illness and to avoid contact with other people for the most part in order to minimize the risk of infection. However, if the pain becomes too great, there is no reason not to take painkillers such as ibuprofen. In addition to the pain-relieving effect, they also have an anti-inflammatory component.
When do I need an antibiotic? An antibiotic only makes sense – as mentioned above – if the illness is caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are absolutely ineffective against viruses, since they are directed against proteins that only occur in this form in bacteria.
In general, the prescription of antibiotics should be handled with caution. As already mentioned, the majority of side strand ganginas heal even without antibiotics by treating only symptomatically. However, special caution is required with immunocompromised people, including children and the elderly.
If the improvement here is too long delayed or the appearance of the patient worries the doctor, antibiotics can be used. Which antibiotics are used? The medical guidelines stipulate penicillin as the first drug of choice according to the current standard.
Penicillin hinders bacteria in the construction of their cell wall, so that they are killed. Alternatively, so-called cephalosporins can be prescribed. This group of antibiotics also prevents bacteria from building up their cell wall when they multiply.
If there is an allergy to these two types of antibiotics, the doctor can fall back on the group of macrolides. Unlike the first two groups, macrolides are directed against the multiplication of the bacterial DNA, so that the bacteria cannot multiply because they do not manage to pass on their genetic material. A number of home remedies can be used to alleviate the symptoms.
However, these are not intended to treat the cause of the disease, but merely improve the symptoms. For example, both chamomile tea and inhalation through the mouth – either with table salt or chamomile tea – help to soothe and moisturize the irritated pharyngeal mucosa. A slight anaesthetic of the pain can be achieved by sucking ice cubes or water ice.
Sucking also stimulates the production of saliva and the cold helps to alleviate the pain somewhat. Lozenges may contain active ingredients that cause a mild local anaesthetic. This makes swallowing a little less painful.
Last but not least, warm neck compresses can also be wrapped around the outside of the neck to relieve the sore throat a little. Nasal drops can be used to relieve any ear pain or blocked sinuses, which should cause the mucous membranes to swell. Sage and nasturtium can be found in various sources as homeopathic remedies.
Similar to chamomile, sage is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect. The nasturtium with its contained oils is said to act like a kind of natural antibiotic that kills the pathogens. One can counteract swelling of the lymph nodes with kermes berry. In homeopathic doses, this is said to help empty the lymph vessels.
