Symptoms
Sore throat is one of the most common complaints that can be observed in connection with red spots in the throat. The combination of sore throat and changes in the area of the pharyngeal mucosa can be an indication of an infectious disease. In children, these cases often involve a streptococcal infection known as scarlet fever (see above).
Adults fall ill with this infection comparatively rarely. In advanced age, sore throats, which occur together with red spots in the throat, often indicate an acute pharyngitis. However, sore throat can also be observed in allergic reactions or toxic changes in the pharyngeal mucosa.
For this reason, every patient who suffers from sore throat over a longer period of time and also notices red spots in the throat should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Red spots in the throat are in most cases a sign of an infection. Irrespective of whether bacterial or viral pathogens cause these red spots, fever is one of the most common accompanying symptoms.
One speaks of a fever as soon as the body temperature exceeds a value of 38.5 degrees Celsius. Body temperatures between 37.5 and 38.5 degrees Celsius, on the other hand, are called elevated temperature (subfibrillary). However, fever in itself is nothing threatening.
The increase in body temperature in connection with an infection merely indicates that the body’s own immune system is dealing with the pathogens. For this reason, antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen should not be taken immediately every time the body temperature rises. It is assumed that lowering fever, especially in the case of infections that lead to red spots in the throat (for example scarlet fever), only makes sense at a body temperature of about 39.5 degrees Celsius.
If the fever is lowered even at a slight increase, the body’s own defensive reaction may be inhibited and healing delayed. Especially with children this can have fatal consequences.Nevertheless, in everyday clinical practice it is clear that the majority of people react in a downright panic to a rise in body temperature. For this reason, it is important that patients are informed that fever, even in the case of infections with red spots in the throat, does not rise to immeasurable levels.
Regardless of the exact type of infection, fever rarely rises to threatening temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius. For this very reason, it makes sense not to treat every rise in body temperature with medication immediately. Instead, a wait-and-see attitude should be adopted and the course of the fever should be observed first.
For most causes of the appearance of red spots in the throat, the changes in the mucous membranes cannot be observed restricted to the area of the throat. Often the entire oral cavity and especially the palate appear as reddened, swollen and/or covered. If red spots appear in the throat in connection with swallowing difficulties, acute tonsillitis, i.e. an inflammation of the palatal tonsils, or acute pharyngitis must be considered.
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat. It often occurs in combination with an inflammation of the palatine tonsils, but can also occur separately. The classic symptoms of these diseases are sore throat and fever in addition to swallowing difficulties.
In pharyngitis, the throat is unevenly reddish, which may look like spots and small vessels may be seen. Itching in connection with red spots in the throat can be expected in case of an allergic reaction. Allergies are a very complex field and can have various triggers.
In the area of the throat, an allergy of the so-called immediate type is conceivable. This means that, for example, after direct contact of the mucous membrane of the throat with certain foods or medicines, an allergic reaction develops within a very short time. The typical symptoms are itching and a contraction of the airways.
This is so dangerous because there is a risk that massive swelling can cause breathing difficulties. A classic childhood disease, which also causes red spots in the throat, is scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is caused by a specific group of bacteria, the Group A Streptococci, and often develops from an inflammation of the palatal tonsils and throat (tonsillopharyngitis). In addition to redness in the throat, at least one other typical symptom must be present for scarlet fever to be diagnosed. These other symptoms may include paleness around the mouth, a raspberry or strawberry tongue, redness on the cheeks or rashes in the groin area.
