Sore throat week 1 Flashcards
Acute pharyngitis:
less than two weeks duration
Chronic pharyngitis:
more than 2 weeks duration
Causes of pharyngitis:
Infectious:
-viral
-Bacterial
Non-infectious causes
Infectious pharyngitis
Most common cause of sore throat
Viral > bacterial
Sore throat caused by an infection:
-Viral
-Bacterial
-Fungal
Fungal pharyngitis is rare
Consider the patients:
-Who are immunocompromised
-With chronic steroid or antibiotic use
Viral pharyngitis:
Infection of pharynx by a virus.
Most common cause: common cold:
-At least 25% of cases due to rhinoviruses and coronaviruses
Bacterial pharyngitis:
Infection of pharynx by bacteria.
Most common cause: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS):
-5-15% of sore throats in adults
-20-30% sore throats in. children (ages 5-15)
Frequency and clinical syndrome for infectious causes of sore throat:
Distribution of causes of sore throat in children:
Non-infectious pharyngitis:
Consider in patients:
-with chronic sore throat
-without signs of infection
-Who do not respond to treatment
General approach to acute pharyngitis:
-Rule out serious diagnosis and red flags/alarm symptoms that prompt emergent/urgent management
-Most cases of acute pharyngitis are due to infectious cause-determine the specific infectious cause (ex. Viral or bacterial)
-Identify acute sore throat caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis:
-antibiotic treatment may be indicated
What is a red flag or alarm symptom/sign?
red flags are signs and symptoms found in the patient history and clinical examination that may indicate possible serious underlying pathology.
Red flags prompt further investigation and/or referral.
Acute epiglottitis:
-Rare but potentially fatal condition
-Inflammation of epiglottis adjacent tissues
-Bacterial infection primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae
-In the past, most commonly seen in children aged 2-6: HiB vaccination in infants has decreased incidence
-Most common in winter and spring
-Positive thumb sign on lateral radiograph of the neck is diagnostic
-Medical emergency => refer
-Airway management is key to prevent airway compromise: may require intubation
-Requires antibiotic therapy
Acute epiglottitis: Clinical representation:
-Acute onset fever, severe sore throat, toxic appearance
The 4 D’s:
-Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
-Drooling
-Dysphonia (muffled, hoarse, abnormal voice)
-Distress (inspiratory stridor, tripod position, severe dyspnea, irritability, restlessness)
**Do not use a tongue depressor when examining the oropharynx as it can precipitate airway obstruction.
Peritonsillar abscess:
Aka: quinsy
-Most common deep infection of head and neck (30% of abscesses of head and neck)
-Most common in young adults (ages 20-40); Increased risk in immunocompromised and diabetics
-Usually begins as acute tonsillitis => cellulitis => abscess formation
-Polymicrobial infection: common organisms: Group A streptococci, staphylococcus aureus, Haemophiles influenzae, fusobacterium, peptostreptococcus, pigemented prevotella species, veillonella
-Diagnosis can be made clinically without labwork/imaging in patients with typical presentation
Peritonsillar abscess: clinical presentation:
Severe unilateral sore throat:
-Dysphagia and odynophagia => pooling of saliva or drooling
-Fever and malaise
-Dysphonia: muffled “hot potato” voice
-Rancid or fetor breath
-Otalgia
-Trismus (66% of patients)
-Oropharyngeal exam: erythematous enlarged tonsil and bulging soft palate on affected side, uvular deviation to contralateral side
-May have severely tender cervical lymphadenopathy
Peritonsillar abscess: diagnosis:
Culture of pus from abscess drainage confirms diagnosis.
Imaging not necessary to confirm diagnosis:
-CT with IV contrast (LR+ 4, LR- 0)
-Intraoral ultrasonography (sensitivity 89-95%, specificity 79-100%)
Treatment includes drainage, antibiotic therapy, supportive care
Retropharyngeal abscess:
Retropharyngeal edema due to cellulitis and suppurative adenitis of lymph nodes in retropharyngeal space.
-Preceded by upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, otitis media, wound infection following penetrating injury to posterior pharynx
Peak incidence in 3-5 year olds
Observed as prevertebral soft-tissue thickening on lateral X-ray of neck
Treat as impending airway emergency:
-requires antibiotic therapy, possible surgical consultation for needle aspiration or incision and drainage