Pharyngitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pharyngitis is defined as an infection or irritation of the pharynx and/or tonsils. The throat extends from the nasal passages above and behind the mouth to the esophagus (tube that carries food to the stomach) in the neck. Swallowing can be mildly painful as well. Sore throats, which are often caused by an infection, are very common, especially in children. A child might even have inflammation and infection of both the tonsils and the throat.Streptococcal pharyngitis (sore throat), or "strep throat," is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Gonococcal pharyngitis is an infection of the throat involving the tonsils and the larynx (pharynx), caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae . Occasionally, the tonsils remain infected, inflamed, or enlarged (chronic tonsillitis) after an episode of pharyngitis.More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Pharyngitis is available below. The major cause is infection, of which 90% are viral, the remainder caused by bacterial infection and rarely oral thrush .

Streptococcal infections are characterized by local invasion and release of extracellular toxins and proteases. Identifying the cause of pharyngitis, especially group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), is important to prevent potential life-threatening complications. It usually occurs when viruses (or sometimes bacteria) from a cold, flu, or sinus infection involve the throat. Pharyngitis occurs most commonly with a viral upper respiratory infection (URI). The tonsils (patches of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat) also can become infected in children with pharyngitis. Some cases of pharyngitis are caused by irritation from agents such as pollutants or chemical sbstances .

Causes of Pharyngitis

Common causes and risk factor's of Pharyngitis include the following :

• Pollution and some other environmental factor.
• Tumors.
• Viral infection.
• Seasonal allergies.
• Smoking.
• HIV infection.
• Fungal infection.
• Allergies.
• Muscle strain.

Symptoms of Pharyngitis

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Pharyngitis are as follows:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Decrease in appetite.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach aches.
• Painful swallowing.

Treatment of Pharyngitis

Find effective treatment methods of treating Pharyngitis :

• Acetaminophen (for pain).
• Increased fluid intake.
• Antibiotics (if the cause of the infection is bacterial, not viral).
• Thus, for presumptive treatment of concurrent Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the clinician may prescribe doxycycline (Vibramycin) or azithromycin (Zithromax) with the ceftriaxone.
• Throat lozenges.