How common is acute pharyngitis?
Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20% to 30% of pharyngitis episodes in children. In comparison, experts estimate it causes approximately 5% to 15% of pharyngitis infections in adults.
What are the most common organisms causing acute pharyngitis?
The most common and important bacterial cause of pharyngitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]). When suspected, bacterial pharyngitis should be confirmed with routine diagnostic tests and treated with various antibiotics.
What percentage of pharyngitis is viral?
About 50% to 80% of pharyngitis, or sore throat, symptoms are viral in origin and include a variety of viral pathogens. These pathogens are predominantly rhinovirus, influenza, adenovirus, coronavirus, and parainfluenza.
How does the prevalence of pharyngitis sore throat vary by age?
Pharyngitis, especially GAS infection, is rare in children younger than 3 years. In a study of 3098 pediatric patients with pharyngitis, Nishiyama et al found the prevalence of GAS pharyngitis to be 1.2% in patients below age 1 year and 3.9% in patients aged 1 year.
Is acute pharyngitis serious?
In the vast majority of cases, pharyngitis is a relatively harmless condition that will clear quickly without complications. Very rarely, however, the condition can progress and cause complications. It can also be a warning sign for a range of more serious conditions.
How long does acute pharyngitis last?
Acute pharyngitis is more common, and symptoms usually resolve within ten days. Treatment for acute pharyngitis is usually focussed on treating the symptoms. Most cases of acute pharyngitis are viral, but some are bacterial. Antibiotics are only helpful if bacterial infection is the cause for acute pharyngitis.
What virus causes acute pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is most commonly caused by viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, or mononucleosis. Viral infections don’t respond to antibiotics, and treatment is only necessary to help relieve symptoms.
What can cause acute pharyngitis?
It is usually caused by viral and/or bacterial infections, such as the common cold and flu (both viral infections) or by infection with the Streptococcus bacterium (strep throat). Pharyngitis can also occur with mononucleosis (aka “mono”), a viral infection.
How is acute pharyngitis diagnosed?
Cough, coryza, and diarrhea are more common with viral pharyngitis. Available diagnostic tests include throat culture and rapid antigen detection testing. Throat culture is considered the diagnostic standard, although the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen detection testing have improved significantly.
What is most common cause of pharyngitis?
What are the risk factors for pharyngitis?
Common risk factors for pharyngitis include:
- History of ill contact.
- Over crowding.
- Frequent sinus infections.
- Smoking.
- Attending day care.
- Immunocompromised.
- Cold season.
- Allergic rhinitis.
What causes acute pharyngitis?
Many viruses and bacteria can cause acute pharyngitis. Streptococcus pyogenes, which are also called group A Streptococcus or group A strep, cause acute pharyngitis known as strep throat. Group A strep pharyngitis is an infection of the oropharynx caused by S. pyogenes.
What is the differential diagnosis of pharyngitis?
The differential diagnosis of acute pharyngitis includes multiple viral and bacterial pathogens. Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20% to 30% of pharyngitis episodes in children.
What is Group A strep pharyngitis?
Group A strep pharyngitis is an acute pharyngitis that commonly presents with Figure 1. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) on Gram stain. Source: Public Health Image Library, CDC
What is the most common bacterial infection associated with pharyngitis (hives)?
The most common bacterial infection is Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, which causes 5% to 36% of cases of acute pharyngitis.