Angina – what is it? How to treat angina?

A sore throat can appear suddenly, even within an hour. Most often, it happens when the weather is unfavorable, it's cold or rainy outside, and vitamin-rich foods are scarce on your plate. As is typical in winter and spring, along with infections like COVID or the flu, you often consult a doctor with a sore throat.

Krzysztof Wiórkowski for some important medical details about angina .

What is angina and when does it most often occur?

– Tonsillitis is an acute inflammation of the throat and tonsils, most often caused by viruses (90-95%, including infectious mononucleosis caused by the EBV virus), and less frequently by bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes – streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis – is responsible for most cases). It is transmitted through droplets from another sick person, rarely from an asymptomatic carrier. The highest incidence occurs in late autumn, winter, and early spring, but this does not mean that tonsillitis cannot occur in the summer as well.

Acute pharyngitis or strep throat? How to recognize it?

Streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis are characterized by a sudden onset – severe sore throat, fever, bright red, enlarged tonsils with pus deposits/plugs, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Children aged 5-15 are most commonly affected. Viral pharyngitis – a common cold – can cause a sore throat, a low-grade fever or normal body temperature, a cough, a runny nose, and reddened throat and tonsils. Mononucleosis can also cause generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes, abdominal pain, and tonsillar plaques.

How to treat angina?

– Most pharyngitis, even bacterial pharyngitis, resolves spontaneously within a few days. However, it's important to remember that untreated streptococcal pharyngitis is associated with a higher risk of purulent complications (peritonsillar abscess, purulent lymphadenitis) and immunological complications (rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis). Rapid tests for Streptococcus pyogenes antigen, as well as throat swab culture, can be helpful in diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis.

Bacterial pharyngitis should be treated with antibiotics. Symptomatic treatment is also important: antipyretics and analgesics, topical lozenges for the throat, and adequate hydration.

Can you eat ice cream when you have a sore throat?

"Many myths have arisen around eating ice cream when you have a sore throat. There's a widespread belief that ice cream is a home remedy for strep throat. Where does this conclusion come from? Well, ice cream acts like a cold compress, reducing the burning and scratching sensations and reducing the swelling in your throat. Unfortunately, this is a temporary solution. It won't eliminate the symptoms, only provide short-term relief.

At the onset of the illness, when the patient has a fever, cold foods should be avoided. Ice cream, like drinking an iced drink, can exacerbate the symptoms. For the duration of the symptoms, it's worth adopting a liquid or finely ground diet. You can support yourself with gargling, inhalation, and air humidification, but remember the most important rule: don't self-treat a sore throat!