Pharyngitis

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Throat anatomy

The treatment depends on the underlying cause. Viral infections are managed with warm salt water gargles, pain relievers, and fluids. Antibiotics are needed if strep throat is diagnosed.

Most cases of pharyngitis go away on their own, without complications.

• The possible complications of strep throat include rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, chorea, bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and, rarely, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
• In some severe forms of pharyngitis (e.g., severe mononucleosis pharyngitis) the airway may become blocked.
• Abscess around the tonsils or behind the pharynx are possible.

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

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.