Pharyngitis - viral

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Oropharynx

Viral pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx (the part of the throat between the tonsils and the larynx) caused by a virus. It produces a sore throat.

Pharyngitis is most often caused by a viral infection, but can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Viral pharyngitis is the most common cause of a sore throat.

When cultures of the throat do not reveal a bacterial cause for the symptoms, a viral pharyngitis is suspected. These illnesses are extremely common.

Pharyngitis may occur as part of a viral infection that also involves other organ systems, such as the lungs or bowel.

Review Date: 11/21/2005
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.