Pharyngitis Flashcards
What is pharyngitis?
Inflammation of the pharynx, causing a sore throat.
True or False: Pharyngitis can be caused by both viral and bacterial infections.
True
What are common symptoms of pharyngitis?
Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Fill in the blank: Pharyngitis is commonly referred to as ________.
Sore throat
What is the most common cause of pharyngitis?
Viral infections
Which bacteria is commonly responsible for bacterial pharyngitis?
Group A Streptococcus
What diagnostic test is used to confirm bacterial pharyngitis?
Rapid strep test
True or False: Antibiotics are necessary for treating viral pharyngitis.
False
What is the treatment for viral pharyngitis?
Symptomatic relief (rest, fluids, pain relievers)
What is a potential complication of untreated streptococcal pharyngitis?
Rheumatic fever
What age group is most commonly affected by viral pharyngitis?
Children
What is the incubation period for streptococcal pharyngitis?
2-5 days
What type of precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of pharyngitis?
Hand hygiene, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
True or False: Pharyngitis is a self-limiting condition that usually resolves on its own.
True
What is the main goal of treatment for pharyngitis?
Relief of symptoms and prevention of complications
What type of throat culture is used to definitively diagnose streptococcal pharyngitis?
Throat swab culture
What is the primary symptom that distinguishes viral from bacterial pharyngitis?
Presence of cough and rhinorrhea in viral pharyngitis
What is the recommended treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis?
Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin)
True or False: Pharyngitis is more common in winter months.
True
What is the typical duration of symptoms in acute pharyngitis?
Less than 2 weeks
What is the first-line antibiotic for treating streptococcal pharyngitis?
Penicillin
What is the most common viral cause of pharyngitis?
Adenovirus
What is the recommended treatment for viral pharyngitis?
Supportive care (e.g., rest, hydration)
What is the main complication of streptococcal pharyngitis in children?
Acute rheumatic fever
Signs and symptoms suggestive of bacterial pharyngitis
Low grade fever
Tonsillar exudates
Painful throat
Absence of cough
Viral or bacterial
Bacterial common pathogen
Streptococcus pyogenes
Group A- Beta hemolytic streptococci
Treatment for adults controversial
Modified Centor Score suggests strept and recommends to treat empirically but how
Temperature > 38 degree. 1
Absence of cough 1
Swollen tender nodes 1
Tonsillar exudates 1
Age 3 to 14 1
15 to 44 0
More than 44 -1
Management on basis of score
0
1—-/ no culture requires
2/3 perform RADT or throat culture to prescribe antibiotics
4 or more 50 percent start antibiotic and perform culture test
If test negative discontinue antibiotics
RADT is not sensitive in children
Education in case of pharyngitis
Limit spread by hand hygiene
Cause include GABHS carriage
Antibiotic resistance
Mostly viral in nature
Increase humidity
Fluids
Comfort
