Angina - what is it? How to treat angina?

Angina can appear suddenly, even from hour to hour. Most often when the aura is not spoiling, cold or rainy outside the window, and vitamin-rich foods are rarely on your plate. As is usually the case in winter and spring, in addition to infections such as covid or flu, you come to the doctor with tonsillitis.

For some important medical details about tonsillitis, we asked family medicine physician Krzysztof Wiórkowski.

What is tonsillitis and when does it happen most often?

- Angina is an acute inflammation of the throat and palatine tonsils most often caused by viruses (90-95%, also infectious mononucleosis caused by EBV), less often by bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for most - streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis). We are infected by the droplet route from another sick person, rarely an asymptomatic carrier. The highest incidence occurs in late autumn, winter and early spring, but this does not mean that we can't contract tonsillitis in summer as well.

Acute pharyngitis, but is it tonsillitis? How to recognize it?

- Streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis are characterized by an abrupt onset - severe sore throat, fever, vividly red enlarged tonsils with plaques/purulent deposits, enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Children in the age range of 5-15 years are most often ill. In viral inflammation - the common cold, there is a sore throat, slight fever or normal body temperature, cough, runny nose, red throat and tonsils. In mononucleosis, we can also observe generalized enlargement of lymph nodes, abdominal pain, and plaques on the tonsils.

How to treat angina?

- Most pharyngitis, even bacterial pharyngitis, resolves spontaneously within a few days. However, it is important to remember that untreated streptococcal pharyngitis is associated with a higher risk of purulent complications (periglandular abscess, purulent lymphadenitis) and immunological complications (rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis). For the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis, rapid tests for Streptoccocus pyogenes antigen can be helpful, as well as throat swab cultures.

In the treatment of bacterial pharyngitis, an antibiotic should be used. In addition, symptomatic treatment is important: antipyretics and painkillers, lozenges that act topically on the pharyngeal mucosa, adequate hydration.

Is it okay to eat ice cream during tonsillitis?

- Many myths have been created around eating ice cream during throat illness. There is a widespread belief that ice cream for tonsillitis is one of the home remedies. Where do such conclusions come from? Well, ice cream acts as a cold compress, weakening the burning and scratching sensation and reducing the swelling in the throat. Unfortunately, this is a temporary solution. It will not eliminate the ailment, but only briefly relieve it.

 At the beginning of the disease, when the patient has a fever, cold foods must be abandoned. Then ice cream when you have tonsillitis, as well as drinking a frozen drink, can exacerbate bothersome symptoms. For the duration of the ailment, it's worth introducing a liquid or heavily chipped diet. You can support yourself with gargles, inhalations and humidification, but remember the most important rule: Angina is not cured by itself!