Pharyngitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Pharyngitis is a very common inflammatory condition of the pharynx accompanied by a sore throat and occasionally difficulty with swallowing. When a patient presents with a sore throat, the physician must consider a wide range of illnesses. Infectious causes range from generally benign viruses to Group A streptococcus. The signs and symptoms of group A streptococcus and non-streptococcal pharyngitis overlap so broadly that accurate diagnosis on the basis of clinical grounds alone is usually impossible. Inflammatory presentations may be the result of an 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.
History and Symptoms
The main symptom is a sore throat and occasionally difficulty with 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 Group A streptococcus. The signs and symptoms of group A streptococcus and non-streptococcal pharyngitis overlap so broadly that accurate diagnosis on the basis of clinical grounds alone is usually impossible.[2] Other symptoms may include:
Viral Pharyngitis[3]
- Coryza
- Conjunctivitis
- Malaise or fatigue
- Hoarseness
- Low-grade fever
Bacterial Pharyngitis
Patients with bacterial pharyngitis generally do not have rhinorrhea, cough, or conjunctivitis.[3]
- Sudden onset of sore throat
- Pain on swallowing
- Fever
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
References
- ↑ Cohen, J (2010). Infectious diseases. Edinburgh: Mosby/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0323045797.
- ↑ Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, Gerber MA, Kaplan EL, Lee G et al. (2012) Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 55 (10):1279-82. DOI:10.1093/cid/cis847 PMID: 23091044
- ↑ 3.0 3.1