Pharyngitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pharyngitis|here]]''' | __NOTOC__ | ||
{{Pharyngitis (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pharyngitis|here]].''' | |||
{{ | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} Alexandra M. Palmer; {{Ochuko}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
== | |||
[[Pharyngitis]] is [[inflammation]] of the [[pharynx]], which is in the back of the [[throat]], between the [[tonsils]] and the [[voicebox]] ([[larynx]]). | [[Pharyngitis]] is [[inflammation]] of the [[pharynx]], which is in the back of the [[throat]], between the [[tonsils]] and the [[voicebox]] ([[larynx]]). | ||
| Line 18: | Line 16: | ||
*[[Joint pain]] and [[muscle aches]] | *[[Joint pain]] and [[muscle aches]] | ||
*[[Skin rashes]] | *[[Skin rashes]] | ||
* | *[[Swollen lymph nodes]] in the [[neck]] | ||
==What causes Pharyngitis?== | ==What are the causes of Pharyngitis?== | ||
Many [[germs]] can cause [[pharyngitis]]. | Many [[germs]] can cause [[pharyngitis]]. | ||
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Most cases of [[pharyngitis]] occur during the colder months. The [[illness]] often spreads among family members. | Most cases of [[pharyngitis]] occur during the colder months. The [[illness]] often spreads among family members. | ||
==Who is at risk | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
[[Pharyngitis]] is [[contagious]], so anyone in close proximity to someone with the [[illness]], is at risk. | [[Pharyngitis]] is [[contagious]], so anyone in close proximity to someone with the [[illness]], is at risk. | ||
== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your [[health care provider]] if: | |||
*You develop a [[sore throat]] that does not go away after several days | |||
*You have a [[high fever]], [[swollen lymph nodes]] in your [[neck]], or a [[rash]] | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
Your [[health care provider]] will perform a [[physical exam]] and look at your [[throat]]. | Your [[health care provider]] will perform a [[physical exam]] and look at your [[throat]]. | ||
Tests to rule out [[strep throat]] may be done. Additional laboratory tests may be done depending on the suspected cause. | Tests to rule out [[strep throat]] may be done. Additional laboratory tests may be done depending on the suspected cause. | ||
Seek immediate [[medical care]] if you have a [[sore throat]] and trouble [[breathing]]. | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
It is important to avoid [[antibiotics]] when a [[sore throat]] is due to [[infection]] with a [[virus]]. The [[antibiotics]] will not help. Using them to treat [[viral infections]] helps strengthen [[bacteria]] to become [[Antibiotic resistance|resistant]] to [[antibiotics]]. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Pharyngitis== | Most [[sore throats]] are soon over. In the meantime, the following [[Home remedy|remedies]] may help: | ||
*Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested [[Home remedy|remedy]]. | |||
*Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water). | |||
*Drink cold liquids or suck on popsicles. | |||
*Suck on hard candies or [[throat lozenges]] to soothe your [[sore throat]]. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies. DO NOT use candies or [[lozenges]] in young children because of the [[choking]] risk. | |||
*Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful [[throat]]. | |||
*Try [[over-the-counter]] [[pain medications]], such as [[acetaminophen]]. DO NOT give [[aspirin]] to children. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Pharyngitis?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Pharyngitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Pharyngitis] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Pharyngitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Pharyngitis] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | |||
Most cases of [[pharyngitis]] go away on their own without [[complications]]. | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | |||
==Possible complications== | |||
[[Complications]] of [[pharyngitis]] may include: | |||
*Blockage of the [[airway]] (in severe cases) | |||
*Sore ([[abscess]]) around the [[tonsils]] or behind the [[pharynx]] | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000655.htm | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency mdicine]] | |||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | |||
[[Category:Immunology]] | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:41, 29 July 2020
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Pharyngitis |
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Pharyngitis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer; Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [2]
Overview
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx).
What are the symptoms of Pharyngitis?
The main symptom is a sore throat.
Other symptoms may include:
What are the causes of Pharyngitis?
Many germs can cause pharyngitis.
- Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Many different viruses can cause pharyngitis.
- Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis include Group A streptococcus, which leads to strep throat in some cases. Other, less-common bacteria that cause sore throats include corynebacterium, arcanobacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members.
Who is at highest risk?
Pharyngitis is contagious, so anyone in close proximity to someone with the illness, is at risk.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if:
- You develop a sore throat that does not go away after several days
- You have a high fever, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, or a rash
Diagnosis
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look at your throat.
Tests to rule out strep throat may be done. Additional laboratory tests may be done depending on the suspected cause.
Seek immediate medical care if you have a sore throat and trouble breathing.
Treatment options
It is important to avoid antibiotics when a sore throat is due to infection with a virus. The antibiotics will not help. Using them to treat viral infections helps strengthen bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.
Most sore throats are soon over. In the meantime, the following remedies may help:
- Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested remedy.
- Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water).
- Drink cold liquids or suck on popsicles.
- Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies. DO NOT use candies or lozenges in young children because of the choking risk.
- Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat.
- Try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
Where to find medical care for Pharyngitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pharyngitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Most cases of pharyngitis go away on their own without complications.
Possible complications
Complications of pharyngitis may include:
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000655.htm Template:WH Template:WS