Is pharyngitis sensitive to secondhand smoke?
Disease description:
Recently, I've been coughing a lot, especially at night. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with pharyngitis. However, my boyfriend smokes heavily at home. I'm not sure whether this affects my condition. May I ask, is pharyngitis sensitive to secondhand smoke?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
Pharyngitis is aggravated by secondhand smoke. Harmful substances in tobacco, such as tar, can suppress respiratory tract activity. Under long-term and repeated irritation, congestion, edema, and mucus accumulate in the bronchial mucosa. When these irritants enter the small bronchi, they cause recurrent infections in these areas. In women with pharyngitis, exposure to secondhand smoke leads to excessive accumulation of harmful substances in the body, potentially triggering chronic pharyngitis.
