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Angina, also known as acute tonsillitis, is an inflammatory disease that affects the tonsils of the palate. This condition is usually caused by an infection, which can be viral or bacterial. Bacterial infection is caused by streptococcal bacteria, while viral infection is caused by various viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, etc.
Angina. Its causes and spread
Angina, or acute tonsillitis, is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. There are many viruses that can cause angina, from rhinoviruses, which commonly cause the common cold, to the Epstein-Barr virus, which is the main cause of mononucleosis. Among the bacteria that can cause angina, the most common is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), also known as streptococcus pyogene. GABHS is the main cause of bacterial angina and can cause streptococcal angina.
Angina is spread through droplets, such as by sneezing, coughing, talking or simply breathing. This means that a person with angina can transmit the disease to others, especially those who are close to the patient and breathe the same air. In addition, angina can also spread through direct contact with a sick person or even objects that he has touched, such as towels, dishes or toys.
Although angina is usually caused by infections, there are other possible causes. In some people, angina can be caused by allergies, side effects of certain medications, or irritations such as dry air or tobacco smoke.
Symptoms of the disease
Angina symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the disease - a viral or bacterial infection. However, most patients experience similar symptoms, which include a sore throat, difficulty swallowing food, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and pale or yellowish tonsils. Abdominal pain, which is more common in children, also occurs in rare cases.
A sore throat, or pharyngitis, is the most common and often the first symptom of angina. It can be severe and sometimes accompanied by discomfort or pain when swallowing, called dysphagia.
Fever, which is often high and may be accompanied by chills or chills, is also a typical symptom of angina. Lymph nodes in the neck may be swollen and tender to the touch.
Tonsils can be red and swollen, and sometimes they are white or yellowish, which is exactly what indicates inflammation of the tonsils (angina). Some patients may have bad breath.
Some children may experience abdominal pain, which may be related to inflammation caused by a streptococcal infection.
It should be kept in mind that these symptoms can also be characteristic of other diseases, so it is important to consult a doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment.
What are the types of angina?
Angina can be divided into several types, depending on what causes the inflammation and the nature of its manifestation.
Viral angina is usually milder than bacterial angina and often starts much like a cold or flu. Viral angina can be caused by various viruses. Symptoms of this angina include sore throat, cough, chills, nasal congestion, lethargy and fever.
Bacterial angina is most commonly caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Streptococcal angina is usually more serious and causes a severe sore throat, high fever, enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck. In some cases, streptococcal angina can cause serious complications.
Chronic angina is a condition in which a patient experiences recurrent or prolonged tonsillitis symptoms. Chronic angina can be caused by both viruses and bacteria and can cause persistent sore throat, breathing problems, especially during sleep.
Diagnostics and treatment
The diagnosis of angina often begins with a clinical examination and evaluation of the patient's symptoms. The doctor can check the patient's throat, tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck. However, to determine whether angina is caused by a streptococcal infection, laboratory tests are necessary.
One of the most commonly used tests is the rapid antigen test (RAT), which can help diagnose a streptococcal infection within a few minutes. However, this antigen test is not 100% accurate, so a throat swab is often taken as well.
Treatment for angina depends on its cause. Viral angina is usually treated with symptom-reducing measures such as pain relievers and rest. Antibiotics only work on bacteria, so they are ineffective in viral angina.
Doctors usually treat bacterial angina with antibiotics to quickly relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce contagiousness. Penicillin is the first choice for treating strep throat, although other antibiotics may also be prescribed if the patient is allergic to penicillin.
Angina, or acute tonsillitis, is a condition that affects both children and adults. Although in most cases it is not life-threatening, streptococcal angina can cause serious complications, so it is important to make a quick and accurate diagnosis.
When experiencing symptoms of angina, it is important to see a healthcare professional so that treatment can be started as soon as possible and possible complications can be avoided. At the same time, it is important to remember about prevention - frequent hand washing, proper coughing and sneezing etiquette, and avoiding close contact with sick persons can help reduce the risk of spreading angina.
Sources of information:
Walker, P. F., & Buehler, J. W. (2017). Tropical infectious diseases: principles, pathogens and practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Shulman, S. T., Bisno, A. L., Clegg, H. W., Gerber, M. A., Kaplan, E. L., Lee, G., ... & Weinberg, G. (2012). Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical infectious diseases, 55(10), e86-e102.
Wessels, M. R. (2011). Streptococcal pharyngitis. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(7), 648-655.
Harris, A. M., Hicks, L. A., & Qaseem, A. (2016). Appropriate antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection in adults: advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annals of internal medicine, 164(6), 425-434.
Van Brusselen, D., Vlieghe, E., Schelstraete, P., De Meulder, F., Vandeputte, C., Garmyn, K., ... & Van de Voorde, P. (2014). Streptococcal pharyngitis in children: to treat or not to treat?. European journal of pediatrics, 173(10), 1275-1283.
# angina # ūminis tonzilitas # virusai # bakterijos
