Pharyngitis

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Throat anatomy

• Sore throat
• Strep throat may be accompanied by fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Viral pharyngitis may be associated with runny nose and postnasal drip
• Severe cases may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing and, rarely, difficulty breathing
• Additional symptoms are dependent on the microorganisms causing the infection

The health care provider will perform an examination of the pharynx to look for drainage or coating. The skin, eyes, and neck lymph nodes may be examined.

If there is suspicion for strep throat a streptococcal screen and/or throat swab culture may be performed. Additional throat cultures or blood tests may be done depending on the suspected organism (e.g., mononucleosis, gonorrhoeae).

Review Date: 01/29/2007
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.