Epidemiology

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Acute KeelpijnPublished by: Werkgroep Ontwikkeling Richtlijnen Eerste Lijn (Worel)Last published: 2017Mal de gorge aiguPublished by: Groupe de Travail Développement de recommmandations de première ligneLast published: 2017

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][2]​ Pharyngitis is most common among school-aged children during the winter months. Acute pharyngitis accounts for about 2% to 5% of paediatric hospital visits.[14]​

Seasonal colonisation with group A Streptococcus (GAS) reaches its peak (up to 20% of children) during this season.[1][15]​​ One study demonstrated that 48% of children aged 3-12 years were colonised with GAS at some point over the two year study.​​​[16] In the US, GAS pharyngitis is most common during the winter and spring.[4]​​

GAS pharyngitis is the focal point of clinical interest in pharyngitis, as the main goal of therapy is prevention of rheumatic fever associated with this organism. GAS is responsible for 20% to 30% of sore throats in children and 5% to 15% of sore throats in adults.[4]​​

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