Pharyngitis is the medical term for a sore throat. Causes of pharyngitis include viral infections, such as common colds, and bacterial infections, such as group A Streptococcus.
Pharyngitis is a common condition and rarely a cause for concern. Viral pharyngitis often clears up on its own within a week or so. However, knowing the cause can help people narrow down their treatment options.
In this article, we look at the causes, transmission, and symptoms of pharyngitis. We also cover similar conditions, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Causes
Viral and bacterial infections can cause pharyngitis.
Viral infections are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Some common viruses that can cause pharyngitis include:
- rhinovirus, coronavirus, or parainfluenza, which are causes of the common
- coldadenovirus, which can cause conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, and the common cold
Mononucleosis, or mono, is a contagious viral infection that causes a range of flu-like symptoms. The virus can spread through saliva, so a person can contract it by sharing utensils and cutlery, being exposed to coughs and sneezes, or by kissing. Also known as the kissing disease, mononucleosis mostly affects teenagers and young adults.
While less common, bacterial infections can also cause pharyngitis. Group A Streptococcus bacteria is responsible for pharyngitis in children around 20–40 percent of the time. People commonly refer to pharyngitis caused by group A Streptococcus infection as strep throat.
Other bacterial infections that can cause pharyngitis include:
Factors that can increase a person’s risk of pharyngitis include:
- having a history of allergies
- having a history of frequent sinus infections
- smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
Transmission
Both viral and bacterial forms of pharyngitis are contagious. The germs that cause pharyngitis tend to live in the nose and throat.
When a person with the condition coughs or sneezes, they release tiny droplets that contain the virus or bacteria into the air. A person can become infected by:
- breathing these tiny droplets in
- touching contaminated objects and then touching their face
- consuming contaminated food and beverages
This is why it is essential for a person to wash their hands before handling food or touching their face.
People usually recover from viral infections, such as the common cold, within 7 to 10 days. However, due to the viral incubation period, people may be contagious before any symptoms appear.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person can help prevent spreading strep throat to other people by staying home until they no longer have a fever and have been taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Symptoms
A person with pharyngitis usually will have a sore, dry, or itchy throat.
The main symptom of pharyngitis is a sore, dry, or itchy throat. Additional symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection, such as cold or flu symptoms.
Symptoms of viral pharyngitis include:
- a cough
- a headache
- fever
- body aches
- sneezing
- congestion in the nasal passageways
- swollen lymph nodes
- fatigue
- mouth ulcers
Pharyngitis associated with mononucleosis can have additional symptoms including:
- abdominal pain, especially on the upper left side
- overwhelming fatigue
- poor appetite
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
Symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis may include:
- significant pain when swallowing
- tender, swollen neck lymph nodes
- visible white patches or pus on the back of the throat
- tonsils that are swollen and red
- a headache
- abdominal pain
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- rash, which is known as scarlet fever or scarlatina
Similar conditions
Inflammation of the throat is a common medical issue, and it can result from a variety of causes. Other possible causes can include:
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the larynx, or voice box. The larynx sits in the front of the throat, above the windpipe, and it contains the vocal cords.
Inflammation of the vocal cords can cause hoarseness of the voice, and some people may even lose their voice temporarily.
People can get laryngitis from straining their vocal cords by yelling or overusing their voice.
Other causes of laryngitis include:
- allergies
- stomach acid from acid reflux
- viral infections
- bacterial infections
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are collections of tissue that sit on either side of the pharynx. Tonsillitis is the result of either a viral or a bacterial infection. Bacterial tonsillitis can also result from infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Tonsillitis is rarely serious and often clears up on its own or with a short course of oral antibiotics. However, a doctor may recommend surgical removal of a person’s tonsils if the condition is long-term or keeps recurring.
Symptoms of tonsillitis and pharyngitis are similar. They include:
- a sore throat
- red and swollen tonsils
- white or yellow dots on the tonsils
- difficulty swallowing
- abdominal pain
- a headache
- stiffness of the neck
Throat ulcers
An ulcer is a pus-filled sore that can form on the throat, vocal cords, or food pipe. Causes of throat ulcers include:
- viral or bacterial infections
- damage to the tissue lining the throat
- chemotherapy
- stomach acid from vomiting or acid reflux
Symptoms of throat ulcers are similar to pharyngitis. They include:
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- white patches in the throat
- fever
- chills
- swollen lymph nodes
- nausea
When to see a doctor
People with pharyngitis should contact their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following:
- symptoms last more than 10 days
- severe difficulty or pain when swallowing
- difficulty breathing
- rash
Diagnosis
Sore throats can result from a variety of underlying medical conditions. While viral infections are the most common cause of pharyngitis, it is still important to correctly diagnose the cause in order to treat the condition successfully.
A doctor will usually begin diagnosing pharyngitis by performing a physical examination. They will review the person’s current symptoms and check their throat, ears, and nose for signs of infection.
When an individual has clear signs of a viral infection, the doctor will likely not perform further testing.
If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, they may order a throat culture to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a swab of a person’s throat and sending it to a lab for analysis.
Treatment and home remedies
Staying hydrated may help relieve pharyngitis symptoms.
The appropriate treatment for pharyngitis varies depending on its underlying cause.
For bacterial infections, a doctor may prescribe a person a course of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or penicillin. The antibiotics aim to prevent complications, such as rheumatic fever or kidney disease, not to treat the sore throat. It is essential to complete the entire course of antibiotics to ensure the infection has cleared and to prevent reinfection.
Viral pharyngitis does not respond to antibiotics, but will typically clear up on its own. However, over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and fever.
Home remedies that may help speed up recovery include:
- getting plenty of rest
- staying hydrated
- using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- sucking on ice chips or throat lozenges to soothe the throat
- gargling with salt water
- drinking warm beverages, such as tea, lemon water, or broth
Prevention
A person can reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting pharyngitis and other infections by:
- washing hands thoroughly and regularly
- covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- avoiding close contact with people who have contagious viral or bacterial infections
- avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Outlook
Pharyngitis is a rarely a serious condition and often occurs alongside colds and the flu. Viral pharyngitis normally clears up on its own within a couple of weeks, but bacterial pharyngitis may require a course of antibiotics to prevent complications.
Complications of pharyngitis, such as peritonsillar abscess and rheumatic fever, are rare. Anyone with severe, recurring, or persistent symptoms should see a doctor.
Practicing good hygiene and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can help prevent getting or spreading the germs that can cause pharyngitis.