BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPharyngitis - sore throatPharyngitis - bacterial; Sore throatPharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Causes Pharyngitis is caused by swelling in the back of the throat (pharynx) between the tonsils and the voice box (larynx).Most sore throats are caused by colds, the flu, coxsackie virus or mono (mononucleosis).Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis in some cases:Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus. Strep throatStrep throat is a disease that causes a sore throat (pharyngitis). It is an infection with a bacteria called group A streptococcus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Less commonly, bacterial diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause sore throat. Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members and close contacts. Symptoms The main symptom is a sore throat.Other symptoms may include:Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint pain and muscle aches Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle achesMuscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Pain due to muscles can also be felt in ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fas...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin rashes Skin rashesRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck Swollen lymph nodesLymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look at your throat.A rapid test or throat culture to test for strep throat may be done. Other laboratory tests may be done, depending on the suspected cause. It is important to test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) if you have been exposed to HIV and have a sore throat.Throat cultureA throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not help viral sore throats. Using these medicines when they are not needed may lead to antibiotics not working as well when they are needed.Sore throat is treated with antibiotics if: A strep test or culture is positive. Your provider cannot diagnose strep throat by symptoms or a physical exam alone. A culture for chlamydia or gonorrhea is positive.Sore throat caused by the flu (influenza) may be helped by antiviral medicines.The following tips may help your sore throat feel better:Drink soothing liquids. You can either drink warm liquids, such as lemon tea with honey, or cold liquids, such as ice water. You could also suck on a fruit-flavored ice pop. Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp or 3 grams of salt in 1 cup or 240 milliliters of water). Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges. Young children should not be given these products because they can choke on them. Use of a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can moisten the air and soothe a dry and painful throat. Try over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Possible Complications Complications may include:Ear infection Ear infectionSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to their health care provider. The most common type of ear i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abscess near the tonsils When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your 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 rashSeek medical care right away if you have a sore throat and trouble breathing.Open ReferencesReferencesFlores AR, Caserta MT. Pharyngitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 59.Sur DK, Plesa ML. Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36521460/.Tanz RR. Acute pharyngitis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 409.van Driel ML, De Sutter AI, Thorning S, Christiaens T. Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;3:CD004406. PMID: 33728634 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33728634/.AllVideoImagesTogThroat anatomy - illustration Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.Throat anatomyillustrationSwollen lymph node - illustration Lymph nodes play an important part in the body's defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent. Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy.Swollen lymph nodeillustrationThroat anatomy - illustration Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.Throat anatomyillustrationSwollen lymph node - illustration Lymph nodes play an important part in the body's defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent. Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy.Swollen lymph nodeillustration Tests for Pharyngitis - sore throat Throat swab cultureStreptococcal screenRelated Information Strep throat(Condition)Rheumatic fever(Condition) Review Date: 7/8/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Pharyngitis - sore throatPharyngitis - bacterial; Sore throatPharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Causes Pharyngitis is caused by swelling in the back of the throat (pharynx) between the tonsils and the voice box (larynx).Most sore throats are caused by colds, the flu, coxsackie virus or mono (mononucleosis).Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis in some cases:Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus. Strep throatStrep throat is a disease that causes a sore throat (pharyngitis). It is an infection with a bacteria called group A streptococcus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Less commonly, bacterial diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause sore throat. Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members and close contacts. Symptoms The main symptom is a sore throat.Other symptoms may include:Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint pain and muscle aches Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle achesMuscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Pain due to muscles can also be felt in ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fas...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin rashes Skin rashesRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck Swollen lymph nodesLymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look at your throat.A rapid test or throat culture to test for strep throat may be done. Other laboratory tests may be done, depending on the suspected cause. It is important to test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) if you have been exposed to HIV and have a sore throat.Throat cultureA throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not help viral sore throats. Using these medicines when they are not needed may lead to antibiotics not working as well when they are needed.Sore throat is treated with antibiotics if: A strep test or culture is positive. Your provider cannot diagnose strep throat by symptoms or a physical exam alone. A culture for chlamydia or gonorrhea is positive.Sore throat caused by the flu (influenza) may be helped by antiviral medicines.The following tips may help your sore throat feel better:Drink soothing liquids. You can either drink warm liquids, such as lemon tea with honey, or cold liquids, such as ice water. You could also suck on a fruit-flavored ice pop. Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp or 3 grams of salt in 1 cup or 240 milliliters of water). Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges. Young children should not be given these products because they can choke on them. Use of a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can moisten the air and soothe a dry and painful throat. Try over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Possible Complications Complications may include:Ear infection Ear infectionSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to their health care provider. The most common type of ear i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abscess near the tonsils When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your 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 rashSeek medical care right away if you have a sore throat and trouble breathing.Open ReferencesReferencesFlores AR, Caserta MT. Pharyngitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 59.Sur DK, Plesa ML. Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36521460/.Tanz RR. Acute pharyngitis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 409.van Driel ML, De Sutter AI, Thorning S, Christiaens T. Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;3:CD004406. PMID: 33728634 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33728634/.
