Sore throat can cause common hypothermia and pathogens. Angina occurs as a result of the action of a pathogenic pathogen in the lymphoid tissue (tonsils) and on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, pharynx.Angina suffers from all, but children are more susceptible to the disease (60 - 65% of cases). Adults get sick at the age of 30 - 35 years (more than 75%), elderly people suffer the disease more heavily. Angina does not always make itself felt during the incubation period. Signs of sore throat become noticeable after the transition of the disease to the acute (prodromal) period. Its duration will depend on the immunity and pathogenicity of the pathogen.
The etiology of the disease
They suffer from tonsillitis more often in cold weather (spring, autumn) with high humidity. High temperatures (in summer) have a detrimental effect on bacteria. The likelihood of greater infection exists in crowded places (shops, public transport, markets, educational institutions).
Angina is a contagious disease (capable of spreading rapidly) and requires compliance with strict measures to prevent spread: isolation of the patient if possible, bed rest, separate dishes and hygiene products.
The main route of transmission of the pathogen is airborne, less often alimentary (food) and household.
Coughing and sneezing contributes to the spread of germs. A clinically healthy person who is a carrier is also capable of infecting others even during the incubation period with angina.
The causes of sore throat:
- viral, bacterial infections;
- hypothermia of the body (common cold);
- the action of the allergen; autoinfection.
An irritant in the form of an allergen will lead to the development of sore throat as a secondary disease. Primary tonsillitis develops with autoinfection.
Incubation period
The incubation period of angina is the time from the penetration of the pathogen into the body (tissue) until the first characteristic clinical signs appear. Infection occurs latently (hidden). A person becomes infected without knowing it. The incubation period for angina in adults depends on the cause of inflammation, the source of infection and pathogenesis or the form of development of the pathological process.
If angina has a background nature (with the underlying disease), then the incubation period will depend on the course of the primary disease.
Important! For tonsillitis of viral genesis, the incubation period ranges from 8-10 hours to two to three days and rarely up to five.
The incubation period of angina in adults of a bacterial nature lasts 14 days. This duration, in comparison with the childhood incubation period, is associated with the greater resistance of the adult body.
The severity of resistance (resistance) is influenced by alcohol consumption and smoking. Bad habits increase the likelihood of infection and exacerbate the development of the disease. The intensity of immunity affects both the duration of the incubation period and the course and outcome of the disease itself.
The prodromal period (the period of development of the disease) will be characterized by a pronounced clinical picture. The clinical period ends at 7-9 days.
It should be noted that the release of the pathogen into the external environment (if the angina is infectious) occurs even during the incubation period. And a recovered person is still a carrier of the disease for 10 - 12 days.
Disease course and symptoms
Tonsillitis is acute and causes morphological and functional changes in the lymphoid tissue. The tonsils lose their ability to neutralize pathogenic organisms that have settled in the tissues. The number of immune bodies synthesized in them decreases. Streptococci and staphylococci, which were once conditionally pathogenic, gradually become virulent and cause the development of angina.
Clinically, angina is manifested:
- Pain when swallowing (local reaction to tissue contact with the pathogen).
- Redness, enlargement of the tonsils (noticeable on examination).
- Headache.
- An increase in regional lymph nodes (lower submandibular, less often cervical).
- The development of febrile and pyretic fever (a compensatory defense reaction to the presence of viruses, bacteria).
- General weakness and signs of intoxication (chills, fatigue).
The incubation period in adults with bacterial sore throat is longer, as is the course of the disease. Often complicated by purulent inflammation of the tonsils. The inflammatory process begins much faster with a viral infection, proceeds more easily and ends faster.
Less often, angina of an allergic nature is observed, which does not exclude the connection of pathogenic microflora in the process of the development of the disease. The course of the disease in a chronic form, which is accompanied by complications, is dangerous.
Complications with angina:
- violation of cardiovascular activity (rheumatoid myocarditis, arrhythmia);
- development of genitourinary pathology (nephritis, cystitis);
- inflammatory processes of the musculoskeletal system (rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis).
The development of angina during the incubation period in adults, the symptoms of the disease, their presence and complications after the disease depend on the immune status of the organism, the virulence (strength) of the pathogen and the mode of life (living and nutritional conditions).
Important! The sooner treatment is started, the more successful the recovery will be. Complex therapy, correctly selected by the doctor, adherence to the treatment schedule and good nutrition will help to avoid complications and recover in a week.
