Pharyngitis definition
Inflammation of the pharynx or tonsils (tonsilitis)
Pharyngitis vs dysphagia
Pharyngitis is a sore throat, dysphagia is difficulty swallowing
Why are children predisposed to recurrent strep throats?
The most active phase for immune function of the tonsils and adenoids is between 3-10 years
Common pathogen etiologies of pharyngitis (5)
Wegner’s granulomatosis and how does it relate to pharyngitis
Inflammatory dz of the blood vessels that if left untreated can be fatal, has subtle onset and is caused by autoantibodies against proteinase 3, often have sore eye, ear, and stuffy nose and SORE THROAT (keep it on differential for pharyngitis)** as well as microscopic hematuria
The most common cause of acute pharyngitis
Respiratory viruses
Respiratory syncytial virus
Common cause of pediatric URI that is self limiting but can cause apnea in infants or immunocompromised patients
Common signs and symptoms of mononucleosis (5)
Mononucleosis diagnosis (3)
Mononucleosis/other viral pharyngitis treatment options (3)
Risk factors for fungal opportunistic infections (4)
First line and second line agent for oropharyngeal candidiasis
Why is azithromycin 1g preferred to doxy for chlamydia treatment?
It is 1g 1 time so it has better compliance, availability, and expense compared to doxy which is 100mg twice daily for 7 days
“bull neck” is a common finding of what condition?
Diptheria
Diptheria signs and symptoms (3)
Diptheria treatment (2)
- erythromycin 500mg 4x daily for 14 days
Most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis
Strep pharyngitis
Red pharynx with petechiae on soft palate is a common finding of….
….strep pharyngitis
Scarlet fever as a result of strep pharyngitis infection signs and symptoms (3)
Rapid strep test
High specificity 95% so if positive almost guaranteed to be strep and can treat with antibiotics, however if negative require culture to determine need of antibiotics
Are carriers of GABHS in their throats contagious or at risk for acute rheumatic fever when not symptomatic?
No
Centor score
Addition of 4 variables to determine likelihood of follow up for culture to confirm suspected positive, with higher scores increasing probability of positive culture and 1-2 variables only requiring rapid strep initially
Treatment options of strep pharyngitis
When can a patient with GABHS return to school?
When a patient is no longer contagious 24 hours after starting therapy they may return to school