Pharyngitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Apr 06, 2022
  • Author: John R Acerra, MD; Chief Editor: Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD  more...
  • Print
Questions & Answers

Overview

What is pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How are viral and bacterial causes of pharyngitis (sore throat) differentiated?

What are the Centor criteria for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)?

How is the Centor score for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat) interpreted?

What is included in the physical exam of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How is pharyngitis (sore throat) managed?

What is included in treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat) in the emergency department (ED)?

What are the treatment options for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)?

What are the causes of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the most common bacteria that causes pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How is pharyngitis (sore throat) characterized?

Aside from GAS (Streptococcus pyogenes), what other bacteria cause pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are the main concerns in the emergency department (ED) regarding pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the pathophysiology of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are the characteristics of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)?

What is the incidence of pharyngitis (sore throat) in the US?

What is the global incidence of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are complications of streptococcal pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the mortality rate for pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How does the prevalence of pharyngitis (sore throat) vary by age?

Presentation

What are the classic presentations of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are the Centor criteria used to diagnose and treat group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)?

How are the Centor criteria scored for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)?

What are the physical findings characteristic of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

Which organisms cause bacterial pharyngitis (sore throat)?

Which organisms cause viral pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are less common causes of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Pharyngitis?

Workup

How is group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat) diagnosed?

What is the role of the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) rapid antigen detection test in the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How accurate is the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) rapid antigen detection test for the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What are the benefits of the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) rapid antigen detection test for the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of throat culture in the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What lab tests may be useful in the workup of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How is a throat swab obtained for the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

Treatment

What prehospital care is needed for pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is included in emergency department (ED) care for pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the reliability of selective testing strategies for the diagnosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

When is specialist consultation needed for the management of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

Guidelines

What are the Choosing Wisely recommendations for the management of acute pharyngitis (sore throat) in children?

Medications

What is the role of osmolyte ectoine spray in the treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of medications in the treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the role of flurbiprofen lozenges in the treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the medication prescription history for pharyngitis (sore throat)?

Which medications in the drug class Antifungals are used in the treatment of Pharyngitis?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Pharyngitis?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Pharyngitis?

Follow-up

What monitoring is needed following treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat) in the emergency department?

When is inpatient care indicated for pharyngitis (sore throat)?

When is transfer indicated for treatment of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

How is pharyngitis (sore throat) prevented?

What are complications of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What is the prognosis of pharyngitis (sore throat)?

What information about pharyngitis (sore throat) should patients receive?