ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Pharyngitis

What is pharyngitis?

4 May 2021

It is the swelling of the pharynx due to an infectious process of viral or bacterial origin, which can be acute or chronic, causing a sore throat, headache, high fever, swollen lymph nodes, irritation, and swallowing problems.

The pharynx is located between the tonsils and the larynx. Acute inflammation usually lasts a week and a half, while chronic pharyngitis affects patients with weak pharyngeal tissue and mucosa or in those who regularly have a depressed immune system due to disease or medical treatments.

There is greater prevalence in winter because the cold climate causes flu and various respiratory infections, causing infections at home and elsewhere. 

The most common bacteria that cause pharyngitis are streptococcus pyogenes, some fungi, viruses such as herpes and flu, or it can be caused by allergic reactions to contaminants, drugs, or foods. Tobacco smoke is also another possible cause.

Signs and symptoms Pharyngitis

Symptoms vary according to the intensity of the infection and the age of the patient:

Babies: 

  • Irritability.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Viscous mucus.
  • High fever.
  • Insomnia.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Snoring.
  • Swollen glands.
  • Otitis media.

Kids:

  • Pain and difficulty swallowing.
  • Swollen glands.
  • High fever.
  • Irritation of the palate and pharynx.
  • General discomfort.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Snoring.

Adults:

  • Symptoms similar to those of the children. 

When pharyngitis is due to a viral infection, it is common for another bacterial complementary infection to develop, which makes treatment more complex and recovery slower.

Diagnosis and treatment Pharyngitis

Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history, and then perform a physical examination to determine if it is an acute or chronic pharyngitis, but it may request blood tests and erythrocyte sedimentation tests to corroborate the diagnosis, as well as a pharyngeal exudate to identify the pathogen that generates the infectious condition and its degree of sensitivity to different drugs.

Within the treatment plan, good nutrition and continuous hydration are essential. The medications prescribed will depend on the type of infection you have and will be supported by pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to control symptoms. 

In the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we offer you health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, from both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Pharyngitis

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlinesplus.gov
  • cun.es
  • clevelandclinic.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Vidal TLA, Porto ÁG, Claro ML, et al. Fiebre periódica con estomatitis aftosa, faringitis, y adenitis. Rev Méd Electrón. 2018;40(4):1155-1162.
  • González HK, Varela MAC, Barrantes AGJ. Colchicina como tratamiento del síndrome de fiebre periódica, estomatitis aftosa, faringitis y adenitis cervical pediátrico (PFAPA): un estudio de caso. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2020;5(09):1-9.
  • Niubó CE, Valdes-Dapena M, Manrique-Suárez V, et al. Tipificación mediante electroforesis de campos pulsantes de cepas de Streptococcus beta hemolíticos presentes en un brote de faringitis en niños. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol. 2015;53(1):.
  • Xacur-Hernández MI, Santos-Zaldívar KP, Quintana-Gamboa AA, et al. Descripción y análisis clínicoepidemiológico de los motivos otorrinolaringológicos de ingreso en 2015 en México. Otorrinolaringología. 2020;65(3):117-129.

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