(Viral Sore Throat)
Definition
Definition
Viral pharyngitis is a sore, inflamed throat.
Sore Throat Due to InflammationCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes
Causes
Viral pharyngitis is may be caused by one of several viruses. It often occurs with other viral infections, such as a common cold or the flu.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Viral pharyngitis is more common in children and adolescents. Other factors that may increase your chance of viral pharyngitis include:
- Living or working in crowded places, such as daycare centers or schools
- Poor hygeine
- Cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke
- Allergies
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Lowered immunity due to:
- Stress or fatigue
- Recent illness
- Chronic health conditions, such as HIV infection or AIDS
- Chemotherapy
Symptoms
Symptoms
Viral pharyngitis may cause:
- Sore, red, swollen throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Throat ulcerations
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ears
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue
- Rashes
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Most viral sore throats are diagnosed based on the symptoms and an examination of the throat. Sometimes, the throat will be swabbed to make sure that the sore throat isn’t due to a bacterial strep infection.
Treatment
Treatment
There are no treatments to cure viral pharyngitis. Most cases of viral pharyngitis heal on their own within about a week.
Treatments to relieve symptoms include:
Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Sore throat pain can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Note: Aspirin is not recommended for children with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving your child aspirin.
Self-Care
You can relieve symptoms by:
- Gargling with warm salt water can help relieve a sore throat.
- Using throat lozenges.
- Drinking plenty of fluids. Hot drinks and soups or cold fluids can be very soothing for a sore throat.
- Using running a cool-mist humidifier. It can help keep your nasal passages moist and reduce congestion.
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of viral pharyngitis:
- Practice good hygiene, including careful hand washing.
- Don’t share food or beverages with other people.
- Avoid areas where people are smoking.
RESOURCES:
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://www.familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
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Murray RC, Chennupati SK. Chronic streptococcal and non-streptococcal pharyngitis. Infect Discord Drug Targets. 2012;12(4):281-285.
Pharyngitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated April 25, 2014. Accessed September 30, 2014.
Recognizing primary HIV-1 infection. Infect Med. 1999;16(2):104-108,110.
Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at:
http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats
Accessed September 30, 2014.
The respiratory tract and its infections. Harv Health Lett. 2010;35(4):1-4.
Last Updated: 9/30/2013