Pharyngitis may sound scary, but it’s simply the medical term for a sore throat. We all know the symptoms of a sore throat. Understanding pharyngitis symptoms and causes can put your mind at ease. If you’re currently suffering from a sore throat, you might be wondering what you can do about it. In this article, we will discuss treatment options for pharyngitis as well.
How Do You Know If You Have Pharyngitis?
What Is Pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis refers to inflammation of the pharynx (throat). More specifically, the mucus membranes that line this delicate structure. It combines the word “pharynx,” which means throat, with the suffix “-itis,” which means inflammation.
Pharyngitis is known as a sore throat to most people.
What Are the Symptoms of Pharyngitis?
The common symptoms associated with pharyngitis can include:
- Pain when swallowing or talking
- Swollen glands
- Voice changes, irritated voice box
- Dryness, irritation of the throat
- A cough
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
The exact symptoms of pharyngitis depend on the cause of a particular case.
What Causes Pharyngitis?
It is important to note that pharyngitis is not a diagnosis. Instead, it is a description of a set of symptoms. A variety of underlying conditions can cause pharyngitis.
Most conditions that cause pharyngitis are harmless and go away without a doctor’s help or medication. Pharyngitis can be caused by viral infections (most common), bacterial infections, and environmental factors—for example, exposure to second-hand smoke, dust, or mold.
Let’s take a closer look at the causes of pharyngitis:
- Viruses: The many viruses that cause common colds are often responsible for pharyngitis. These include rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and coronaviruses (other than Covid-19). A common cold can cause a runny nose, headache, low-grade fever, and a sore throat.
- Adenovirus: Adenovirus can also cause a sore throat. In this case, patients can additionally suffer from conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye.
- Epstein-Barr virus: The Epstein-Barr virus causes mononucleosis (better known as “mono” or “the kissing disease”) and can cause a sore throat. It also causes extreme fatigue that persists for months. This virus also leads to muscle aches, skin rashes, and a loss of appetite.
- Streptococcus A, C, and G: Streptococcus A, C, and G (better known as “strep throat”) are bacterial infections that can cause a sore throat.
- STDs: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – chlamydia and gonorrhea can both cause pharyngitis following oral sex.
Viral infections that cause pharyngitis don’t usually require medical treatment. Bacterial pharyngitis can be treated with antibiotics after a diagnosis.
Should You See a Doctor for a Sore Throat?
Self-limiting viruses cause most cases of pharyngitis. This includes the common cold. You’ll usually feel better in a week and do not need to see a doctor. Remember to wash your hands and take precautions to avoid illness.
However, if you experience the following, visit a local urgent care clinic:
- Symptoms do not go away in a week
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Notice pus or white patches on the back of your throat
- A rash
If you do seek medical attention for a sore throat, your doctor will:
- Perform a physical exam.
- Ask questions about your symptoms and recent activities.
- Order a throat culture to test for strep throat
- Order blood tests to determine if it is from a bacterial infection
A rapid strep test (RST) is a rapid antigen detection test (RADT). It is used to diagnose bacterial pharyngitis caused by group A streptococcus (GAS). Otherwise known as strep throat.
Patients suffering from a sore throat for more than a few weeks should mention the duration of their symptoms during their visit.
How Can Pharyngitis Be Treated?
Viruses usually cause pharyngitis and lead to symptoms we describe as the common cold. No special treatment is necessary if that’s the case with you or your loved one.
The best way to treat pharyngitis symptoms is to:
- Stay Hydrated and drink plenty of fluids, like warm water, tea, broth, or soup
- Suck on throat lozenges to soothe your throat.
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
- Take vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and echinacea to help your body fight off illness.
- Get enough rest and avoid irritants like smoke, spicy foods, and very hot liquids
Your doctor might suggest taking pain relievers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen to bring your low-grade fever down.
Bacterial pharyngitis should be treated with antibiotics. When you are prescribed an antibiotic, it is essential to complete the entire course. Do this even if you feel better!
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop when strep throat or scarlet fever isn’t properly treated.
Patients with bacterial pharyngitis can also use the same home remedies as those with viral pharyngitis to seek relief.
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