Syndrome differentiation and treatment
The site of pathological changes of acute pharyngitis lies in the pharynx and the viscera of pathological changes are associated with the lung and stomach. When pathogenic wind and heat attack the pharyngolarynx externally, or when fire transformed from heat spreads to the interior, the pathogenic factors will accumulate and stagnate in the lung and stomach, giving rise to the disease. This is the cause of the disease. The commonly-seen syndromes of acute pharyngitis include wind and heat invading the lung and excessive heat of the lung and stomach. The therapeutic principles are mainly dispelling wind and dispersing pathogenic factors when the pathogenic factors are superficial; the therapeutic principles are mainly purging fire and removing toxin when the pathogenic factors enter the lung and stomach.

1. Syndrome of wind and heat invading the lung
Main symptoms and signs: Pharyngodynia with cauma, dryness and discomfort or sensation of obstruction, aversion to cold, fever, slight thirst, congestion and swelling of pharyngeal mucosa seen during examination, red lingual margin and tip, whitish thin fur, floating and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Dispelling wind and dispersing the lung, clearing away heat from the pharynx and relieving sore throat.

2. Syndrome of excessive heat of the lung and stomach
Main symptoms and signs: Pharyngodynia which is marked when the patient swallows saliva, even dysphagia in severe cases, fever, no aversion to cold, thirst with inclination to profuse drink, constipation, dark and scanty urine, bright red or deep red pharyngeal mucosa with hyperplasia of lymph follicle of posterior pharyngeal wall and red swelling of the lateral pharyngeal bands, red tongue with yellow greasy fur, slippery and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Clearing away heat and purging fire, diminishing swelling and relieving sore throat.