Rhinopharyngitis: what is it, symptoms, treatment and home remedies

Who has not had a cold? It is the most common reason for consulting the doctor. For this very reason, solutions of all kinds are sought, and many unnecessary medications are even taken, which generate expense and cause adverse effects that could be avoided if adequate information was had.

What is rhinopharyngitis? What symptoms may occur? What medical treatment is the most appropriate? How can home remedies be used? If you want to know this and much more, read this article from FastlyHealbelow.

What is rhinopharyngitis?

Rhinopharyngitis, or the common cold, is an infection of the respiratory tract. It begins in the nose and throat (rhino pharynx) and usually spreads to the larynx and lungs. It has a benign and limited course. It can last a few weeks and resolve spontaneously, even without medication, because viruses cause it.

Viruses, unlike bacteria, have a limited life span in our body, which in rhinopharyngitis usually ranges from 7 to 10 days. The symptoms of rhinopharyngitis can last up to a couple more weeks (21 days) because the inflammation persists, but this does not mean that one is getting worse, but that it is part of the normal evolution of this type of disease.

Síntomas de rinofaringitis

The main symptoms of rhinopharyngitis are:

• Rhinitis is a stuffy nose, clear water-like mucus, and a sensation of swallowing mucus from the throat.
• At the same time, or during those days, a sore throat usually appears as burning, swallowing discomfort, and a sensation of having something in the pharynx. When opening the mouth, it is generally red. The tonsils may be slightly enlarged and sometimes covered with a slight whitish exudate on them (this can lead to confusion with bacterial pharyngitis, but we will see how to differentiate them).
• It can also be accompanied by fever, or pain in the body, back, and joints.
• After a few days, dysphonia appears, which is hoarseness or loss of voice directly, and it is due to the inflamed larynx.
• Later, the cough will start, dry or with some clear discharge. It can be very annoying, especially when lying down, but it is essential to know that it usually only lasts between 2 or 3 weeks and, little by little, it should go away. Otherwise, or if a fever appears again, this is when you should consult a trusted doctor.

It is essential to differentiate this condition from a sore throat caused by bacteria since this infection requires the use of antibiotics. Bacterial pharyngitis usually presents with a high fever, sore throat, no nasal discharge, no cough, or dysphonia. There are times when this condition can also be caused by viruses, which is why it is essential to consult a trusted doctor and not self-medicate with antibiotics when it is not necessary. If antibiotics are used when not needed, there is a risk of generating resistant bacteria, meaning that the antibiotics will no longer work to treat them.

Rinofaringitis: tratamiento

The medical treatment of rhinopharyngitis is limited to reducing inflammation. The most appropriate are:

• Nasal washes: with physiological solution or salt water. They help keep the nose free of secretions, allow better breathing, and eat and sleep peacefully. In the following article, we will teach you How to do a nasal wash correctly.
• Nasal spray with low absorption corticosteroid: applied once or twice a day in both nostrils (according to medical indications). They help reduce inflammation of the nose, reduce the amount of mucus and breathe better. The mildest and most effective ones are mometasone furoate and fluticasone furoate.
• Anti-inflammatories: acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are the most used. They should only be used in the first few days to lower fever, improve sore throat and body. If they are not necessary, they should not be used because they also have adverse effects (like all medications).
• Oral anti-allergy drugs: are used to decrease secretions and inflammation. Those that have the best effect and make you less sleepy (the most common adverse effect) are desloratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine.
• Oral corticosteroids can be ingested alone or in combination with antiallergic drugs. Low doses are indicated to collaborate in cases where the picture is very annoying. The most shown is betamethasone 0.6 mg, and it can be taken one or even two times a day if necessary, for 2 or 3 days only.

It is suggested to avoid the following medications:

• Antibiotics will not improve the condition, and the body will be overloaded with medication that it does not need, consuming the energy it needs to recover. In addition, as we have mentioned, they generate resistant bacteria.
• Cough syrups: Because the cause is viral, cough syrups do not usually shorten the time or improve the symptoms that will disappear independently. According to scientific studies, the only thing that is useful for coughing is the combination of antiallergic drugs (desloratadine, for example) with low-dose corticosteroids (betamethasone 0.6 mg) for a few days.
• N-acetylcysteine: or similar medication that helps make secretions more fluid. That is, it provides them with water. Not only will they not improve the frame, but they will also increase mucus production.
• Mucolytics: like bromhexine, they also make mucus more liquid and, therefore, increase its amount.
• Flu: it is about multiple drugs grouped, not all necessary. It is convenient to take the medicine that is needed separately.

Home remedies for rhinopharyngitis

You can improve your picture with the following recommendations and home remedies:

• Keep rest: the best thing you can do for your body is lie down and rest while you need it, you will save effort, and you will be able to recover faster.
• Improve your diet: increase raw fruits and vegetables (they will provide the vitamins and energy necessary to overcome your condition), decrease dairy and gluten (since these increase inflammation and mucus production), avoid processed products with preservatives, refined sugar, and vegetable oils (all of which are intoxicating and put too much work on your body to cleanse itself).
• Drink water: you need to be well hydrated to heal.
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun: especially the first few days, as it will worsen nasal congestion.
• Ginger tea: let it boil for 10 minutes and then steep for another 10 minutes. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory. You can drink up to 3 cups a day.
• Honey and mint: will help reduce a sore throat, and, on the other hand, honey is an excellent antimicrobial.
• Propolis: improves defenses and helps reduce pharyngeal discomfort.
• Pennyroyal: in infusion, it is used to reduce lung irritation, improving coughing.
• Eucalyptus: it is boiled, and the resulting steam must be breathed. It clears the airway and helps to eliminate mucus.

If the symptoms are very intense, very long-lasting, or if you have any doubts, be sure to consult your trusted doctor.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Rhinopharyngitis: what it is, symptoms, treatment, and home remedies, we recommend that you enter our Ear, Nose, and Throat category.

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.