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Pharyngitis - Overview

Alternative Names

Pharyngitis - bacterial; Sore throat

Definition of Pharyngitis:

Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.

See also:

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pharyngitis is caused by swelling (inflammation) of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx).

Most sore throats are cauesd by a viral infection, such as the cold or flu. Some viruses can cause specific types of sore throat, such as coxsackie infection or mononucleosis.

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, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/22/2011
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Hayden GF, Turner RB. Acute pharyngitis. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 378.

Jenson HB. Epstein-Barr virus. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 251.

Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spinks A. Antibiotics for sore throat. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008:(3):CD000023.

Chan TV. The Patient with Sore Throat. Med Clin North Am. 2010 Sep;94(5):923-43.

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