What is the difference between pharyngitis and laryngitis, tonsillitis and tracheitis?

With exacerbations in the upper respiratory tract, it is important to understand the question of what distinguishes pharyngitis from laryngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis. This is necessary to conduct timely and effective treatment, excluding the appearance of complications and recurrent inflammation. A set of symptoms can distinguish one disease from another. The method of differential diagnosis comes to the rescue in case of infection with mixed infections.

Types of diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Considering the question, what distinguishes pharyngitis from laryngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, it is important to know the main symptoms of each disease separately. They differ in the degree of damage to the larynx, the type of infection, the ways to combat acute stages and consequences. Often, each inflammation gives false symptoms that need to be checked by laboratory tests.

The study of the types of diseases of the upper respiratory tract gives an understanding of how pharyngitis differs from laryngitis and other inflammations in the larynx:

• Tonsillitis refers to infectious diseases. It is the source of angina and other inflammation in the throat. Primarily palatal tonsils are affected .
• Tracheitis is an inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, but without it there is not a single inflammation in the larynx.
• Angina is defined as an acute inflammation of the laryngeal region due to the negative activity of pathogens, viruses.
• Laryngitis is the cause of the hoarse voice. Sources of this condition can be infections and chemicals.
• Pharyngitis does not give such serious complications - the voice remains normal. However, the development of an infectious environment poses a threat to internal organs.

To understand what distinguishes pharyngitis from laryngitis, consider the symptoms of each disease separately.

The defeat of tonsils

The chronic form of the disease always becomes complicated in the diagnosis of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Consider what distinguishes laryngitis from pharyngitis and tonsillitis. The main symptom of the first malaise is loss of voice. Bunches undergo changes under the influence of an infection or chemical burn.

Pharyngitis is more often formed under the influence of viruses (ARI, adenovirus). Inflammation of the mucosa of the upper part of the throat. Less common soreness is due to the multiplication of bacteria.

Exacerbation of tonsillitis determines the active spread of pathogenic microorganisms. With the defeat of the tonsils there is a constant development of an infectious environment in the folds of tissues. This process takes on a chronic form, which is difficult to get rid of.

Bacteria always live in the tonsils. With a decrease in immunity, there is an active multiplication of microorganisms filling the entire area of the throat. At these times, there may be tonsillopharyngitis or tonsillolaringitis. There may be mixed symptoms, only an experienced otolaryngologist can distinguish them.

Inflammation of the oral mucosa

Pharyngitis mainly affects the upper larynx tissues. With viral activity, there is a pinpoint ulceration of the tissues of the mouth and throat. The infectious environment is often found in the blood of a person, which requires treatment with medication for oral administration. But bacteria are more often present only in the immediate area of inflammation.

The only thing that distinguishes pharyngitis from laryngitis in adults, the place of tissue damage and hoarse voice. The remaining symptoms of inflammation are similar, and their patients are often confused. Acute stages of the disease pass before the appearance of angina or bronchitis and are determined by pharyngoscopy.

Acute states of pharyngitis occur with the formation of pain during swallowing, the oral mucosa may be red. The inflammatory process is fleeting and may contribute to the development of dry cough. The patient feels insignificant deterioration of state of health, it is possible to struggle with such disease only by gargling of a throat. Pharyngitis is often preceded by a common cold.

Hoarse voice

Laryngitis affects the larynx itself and may be a consequence of complications after angina, viral infection or mechanical damage to the vocal cords. Sources of clinical conditions are: adenovirus, influenza, whooping cough. Establish the form of malaise by the method of laryngoscopy and the results of laboratory tests of blood, smear with mucous.

Symptoms of the disease are:

• The appearance of edema on the vocal cords.
• A hoarse voice barking a dry cough.
• The patient often feels a sensation in the throat, when swallowing rarely there is discomfort and soreness.
• Dryness in the larynx is felt throughout the entire inflammatory process.
• With laryngitis, the patient is difficult to talk, the fatigue of the muscles of the sternum and neck is developed.

Silence helps reduce the time for treatment. For others, the person does not pose a threat of infection.

Dangerous disease of the larynx

Angina refers to one of the most complex diseases. The absence of treatment contributes to the development of severe conditions, resulting in even disability. The degree of tissue damage depends on the source (bacteria, viruses, fungi). In the process of formation of clinical symptoms, suppuration can form.

Consider how angina differs from pharyngitis and laryngitis:

• Deterioration of well-being arises long before the appearance of clinical symptoms.
• Treatment of angina occurs with the use of potent antibiotics. At children preparations are appointed or nominated at once for exception of complications.
• Acute stages pass with the presence of high body temperature.
• Cough with phlegm.
• The disease takes a long form of inflammation in the larynx.
• A sharp pain in the throat, breathing is difficult because of the swelling of the tissues.

Defeat of the lower respiratory tract

The difference between pharyngitis and laryngitis is often difficult to find at the time of exacerbation of the tracheitis. The lower parts of the respiratory tract cause pain in the sternum only in the acute and progressive stages of the disease. With such conditions, you can diagnose a red throat, perspiration, cough. The result of bacterial injury of the trachea can be bronchitis, which will go to pneumonia.

Laryngitis and pharyngitis can cause a descending infection. The signs of pure tracheitis are:

• Discomfort in the esophagus due to ingestion of water, solids.
• Dry rare cough. At the time of spasm, pain may occur in the lower parts of the sternum.
• The patient tries to breathe superficially, with deep breaths there may be acute pain.

Rubbed signs of inflammation

If we consider what distinguishes laryngitis from pharyngitis and tracheitis, then it should be noted the similarity of symptoms at various sites of inflammation localization. The first kind of ailment is able to directly affect the vocal cords. The second affects the laryngeal mucosa. However, these inflammatory processes do not pass as independent types of diseases.

Laryngitis and pharyngitis are often associated with tracheitis, angina. Initial conditions can be a runny nose, a deterioration in overall well-being. Chronic tonsillitis is a provocateur of bacterial infection of the larynx. For the analysis of the patient's condition, differential diagnostics is used. When comparing existing symptoms, the search for the true cause of malaise narrows.

Similar symptoms

The difference between pharyngitis and laryngitis can be detected with the same source of damage to the larynx. However, there is a similarity of these ailments:

• An increase in body temperature may be observed.
• Redness of the larynx.
• Sore throat, pain while eating.
• Swelling complicates the possibility of vocal movements.

With any type of disease, there is always a risk of complications. Therefore it is recommended to be diagnosed in the clinic by a specialist. To exclude complications, extensive tests are performed on infections that give erased symptoms of inflammation. Bacterial environment not only can provoke infection of the lower respiratory tract, but also at the time of the spread of microorganisms often enters the blood. And through her heart, brain and other internal organs are affected.