What are the symptoms of nasopharyngitis?
Mar 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, nasopharyngitis is an inflammation occurring in the nasopharyngeal region. The main symptoms of nasopharyngitis include nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, cough, and tinnitus. During an episode of nasopharyngitis, inflammatory stimulation causes congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane in the nasopharyngeal area. This swelling reduces the nasal cavity space and obstructs airflow, leading to nasal congestion. This swelling may also cause hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, further exacerbating nasal obstruction.
Generally, nasopharyngitis refers to an inflammation occurring in the nasopharynx. The main symptoms of nasopharyngitis include nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, cough, and tinnitus. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Nasal Congestion
During an episode of nasopharyngitis, inflammatory stimulation causes congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx, narrowing the nasal cavity and obstructing airflow, thereby causing nasal congestion. This swelling may also lead to hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, further worsening nasal obstruction.
2. Runny Nose
Inflammatory stimulation can increase secretions in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, resulting in a runny nose. Initially, the nasal discharge may be clear and watery; as the condition progresses, it may become mucoid or purulent. Sometimes, patients may also experience a sensation of nasal discharge flowing backward into the throat.
3. Fever
When nasopharyngitis is caused by infection with pathogens such as viruses or bacteria, these pathogens and their toxins act as exogenous pyrogens, stimulating the body's immune system to produce endogenous pyrogens. These act on the body's temperature-regulating center, raising the temperature set point and thus causing fever.
4. Cough
Increased secretions in the nasopharynx that flow backward into the throat can irritate the pharynx, triggering coughing. This type of cough is usually an irritative dry cough, which may occur frequently in severe cases, affecting the patient's daily life and rest.
5. Tinnitus
Since the nasopharynx is connected to the ear via the Eustachian tube, when inflammation occurs in the nasopharynx, it may spread to the Eustachian tube, causing dysfunction of the Eustachian tube and resulting in pressure changes in the middle ear cavity. This leads to tinnitus, with patients experiencing buzzing or other abnormal sounds in the ear.
If the above symptoms appear, timely medical consultation and relevant examinations should be sought for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.
