Acute pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis is characterised by acute onset of sore throat; the absence of cough, nasal congestion, and nasal discharge suggests a bacterial aetiology.

Diagnosis begins with history and physical examination and is confirmed by rapid antigen detection tests (in case of group A Streptococcus [GAS] pharyngitis), throat culture, or polymerase chain reaction if needed. Patients with clear viral symptoms do not need to undergo testing for GAS.

The goal of treatment of GAS infection is to prevent acute rheumatic fever, reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, and prevent transmission.

Acute pharyngitis is generally a self-limiting condition with resolution within 2 weeks. Infected individuals are not immune to reinfection with most aetiological pathogens.

Treatment typically involves supportive care (e.g., analgesics) and treatment of the causative pathogen (e.g. antibiotics for GAS infections).

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended only in individuals with a history of rheumatic fever.

Acute pharyngitis is characterised by the rapid onset of sore throat and pharyngeal inflammation (with or without exudate). It can be caused by a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens, including group A Streptococcus (GAS), as well as fungal pathogens (e.g., Candida albicans). Absence of cough, nasal congestion, and nasal discharge suggests a bacterial, rather than viral, aetiology. Bacterial pharyngitis, in temperate climates, is more common in winter (or early spring), while enteroviral infection is more common in the summer and autumn.[1]Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Archived). Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Nov 15;55(10):e86-102. http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/10/e86.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22965026?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Sawyer MH. Enterovirus infections: diagnosis and treatment. Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. 2002 Jan;13(1):40-7. https://www.doi.org/10.1053/spid.2002.29756 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12118843?tool=bestpractice.com ​​​​ Acute pharyngitis is generally a self-limiting condition with resolution within 2 weeks.