Pharyngitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pharyngitis is a very common inflammatory condition of the pharynx accompanied by a sore throat and occasionally difficulty in swallowing.[1] When a patient presents with sore throat, the physician must consider a wide range of illnesses. Infectious causes range from generally benign viruses to GABHS. Inflammatory presentations may be the result of allergy, reflux disease or, rarely, neoplasm or Kawasaki disease. The optimal approach for differentiating among various causes of pharyngitis requires a problem focused history, a physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing.[2]
Symptoms
The main symptom is a sore throat. Other symptoms may include:
Viral Pharyngitis[2]
- Coryza
- Conjunctivitis
- Malaise or fatigue
- Hoarseness
- Lowgrade fever
Children with viral pharyngitis also can present with atypical symptoms, such as mouth-breathing, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If Infectious mononucleosis patients are treated with amoxicillin or ampicillin, 90 percent will develop a classic maculopapular rash.[2]
Bacterial Pharyngitis
Patients with bacterial pharyngitis generally do not have rhinorrhea, cough, or conjunctivitis. The incidence of bacterial pharyngitis is increased in temperate climates during winter and early spring.[2]
GABHS Infection: Symptoms of strep throat may include pharyngeal erythema and swelling, tonsillar exudate, edematous uvula, palatine petechiae, and anterior cervical lymphadenopathy.[2]
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Diphtheria: Characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent grayish membrane with surrounding inflammation of the tonsils, pharynx, or nasal passages.[2]