Pharyngitis: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It manifests as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes fever. While most pharyngitis cases are viral, about 10% are due to a bacterium, group A strep, which may justify the use of antibiotics.

Causes

Pharyngitis can have several origins: ; Viral infections: Viruses such as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza, and coronavirus are responsible for most pharyngitis cases. ; Bacterial infections: Group A streptococcus is the most frequent bacterial cause. Other bacteria like mycoplasmas and chlamydiae may also be involved, but more rarely.

Symptoms

The main signs of pharyngitis include: ; Sore throat: Intense pain, often accompanied by difficulty swallowing. ; Fever: Often moderate to high, especially in bacterial cases. ; Other symptoms: Headaches, neck stiffness, nausea, or vomiting. In viral cases, symptoms like cough, cold, or voice changes are frequent.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on: ; Clinical evaluation: Symptoms such as fever, absence of cough, and swollen glands may indicate a bacterial infection. ; Tests: A throat swab can identify group A strep. Rapid tests are also available, but their precision may vary.

Treatment

Symptomatic: For viral pharyngitis, treatment is limited to symptom relief with fever medications or decongestants. Antibiotics: If bacterial, notably streptococcus, antibiotics such as penicillin are prescribed for 10 days. If allergic, macrolides like clarithromycin are used.