Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > P > Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Treatment

Treatment is dependent upon the underlying cause of pharyngitis. Viral infections are managed with supportive measures such as warm saline gargles, analgesics and fluids. Antibiotic therapy is indicated if strep throat is diagnosed.

Prognosis

Most cases of pharyngitis are self-limited and resolve without sequelae.

Complications

  • complications of strep throat: rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation), chorea, bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and rarely streptococcal shock syndrome
  • in some severe forms of pharyngitis (e.g., severe mononucleosis-pharyngitis) airway obstruction may occur
  • peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Notify your provider if you develop a persistent sore throat that does not resolve in several days or if you have high fevers, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or rash. If you have a sore throat and develop difficulty breathing, you must seek medical care immediately.

Ency. home > Disease > P > Pharyngitis

[an error occurred while processing this directive]