PharyngitisBY: ROBERT MARTINEZ, MICHAEL HUFFMAN, ROMAN REGALADO

What is it?

Commonly known as a sore throat, pharyngitis is an upper respiratory infection.

An infection of the throat.

Etiology

Commonly caused by the flu, the common cold, Coxsackie virus and mononucleosis.

A fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit can also promote pharyngitis however a low grade fever or no fever doesn’t inhibit growth either.

It is a gram negative bacteria or can also be found in a viral form.

The methods used to diagnose Strep Throat were not invented until the late 17th Century, so it is impossible to pinpoint an exact origin .

Epidemiology

Found more commonly amongst younger children.

40-80% of pharyngitis infections are caused by a virus versus the bacteria.

Can be found worldwide and is most prevalent during the flu/cold season.

Mode of Transmission

Direct contact (horizontal transmission) such as sneezing are common modes of transmission.

Direct contact with infected throat mucus, nasal discharge, or saliva.

Symptoms

Fever

Headache

Joint pain and muscle aches

Skin rashes

Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck

Hoarseness

Redness of the eyes

Dry cough

Runny or stuffy nose

Testing for diagnosis

A physical test performed by a physician is the preferred method to check for pharyngitis. However your doctor may also perform a throat culture to rule out the possibility of streptococcus.

A swollen neck and lymph nodes

Is a key clue in pointing out

Streptococcal pharyngitis.

Treatment

Antibiotics are not recommended because pharyngitis is a virus and in prescribing antibiotics would only allow for bacteria to grow immune to the treatment.

Drinking warm liquids such as tea, honey and milk often aid in soothing the irritation.

Gargling salt water.

Over the counter medicine such as acetaminophen.

Prevention

Avoiding contact with those infected.

Washing your hands frequently.

Avoid exposure to others who have a sore throat.

Avoid crowded areas during cold and flu season.

Do not smoke.

Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.

Keep vaccinations up to date.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn6sj6Cf-Yc

References

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_a-z_detail.asp?AZ=583&Page=2

http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/83/Streptococcus_pyogenes_01.jpg

http://mddk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pharyngitis.jpg

http://www.cdc.gov/features/scarletfever/scarletfever_355px.jpg

http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/sfmoms/2009/01/03/sinusitis-boy300x194.jpg

http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/sore_throat_slideshow/PRinc_rm_photo_of_throat_swab.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/saltwater.jpg

http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/8/0/l804085215.jpg

http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/08/01/ap091215023358_wide-09a8eece703cb3d2c63450061044288208e68d55-s6-c30.jpg