How is viral pharyngitis treated in children?
How are pharyngitis and tonsillitis treated in a child?
- Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen as a liquid or pills for pain.
- Increasing how much your child drinks.
- Eating smooth, cool foods such as gelatin, ice cream, and ice pops.
- Gargling with salt water (for older kids).
Can children get pharyngitis?
Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common illnesses for which children visit primary care physicians. Most cases of acute pharyngitis in children are caused by viruses and are benign and self-limited. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is the most important of the bacterial causes of acute pharyngitis.
What treatment is recommended for a patient with viral pharyngitis?
Viral pharyngitis goes away on its own with salt water gargles, pain relievers and extra fluids to help alleviate the symptoms. Bacterial pharyngitis is treated with antibiotics; and fungal pharyngitis, with antifungal medications.
What is the most common cause of viral pharyngitis?
The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own. Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.
How do pediatrics treat strep throat?
Strep throat — Strep throat is usually treated with an antibiotic, such as penicillin, or an antibiotic similar to penicillin (eg, amoxicillin). Children who are allergic to penicillin will be given an alternate antibiotic. The antibiotic is usually given in pill or liquid form one, two, or three times per day.
How do I know if my child has strep throat?
A child with strep throat, may have some or all of these symptoms:
- Sore throat, especially when swallowing.
- Bright red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.
- “Strawberry” look to the tongue or tiny red spots on the back roof of the mouth.
- Fever.
- Swollen, tender glands in the neck.
Is viral pharyngitis contagious?
Transmission. Both viral and bacterial forms of pharyngitis are contagious. The germs that cause pharyngitis tend to live in the nose and throat. When a person with the condition coughs or sneezes, they release tiny droplets that contain the virus or bacteria into the air.
How can you tell the difference between pharyngitis and tonsillitis?
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections in the throat that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are primarily affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is primarily affected, it is called pharyngitis. A child might even have inflammation and infection of both the tonsils and the throat.
How do you test for viral pharyngitis?
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.
Do you have a fever with viral pharyngitis?
What causes sore throat? Many conditions and factors cause sore throat, also called pharyngitis. You may feel pain and irritation anywhere in the back of your mouth, on your tonsils, and down your neck. You may also have a fever, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, and a headache or earache.
How long does it take for viral pharyngitis to go away?
Viral pharyngitis often goes away in five to seven days. If you have bacterial pharyngitis, you will feel better after you have taken antibiotics for two to three days. You must take your antibiotic even when you are feeling better.
What causes sore throat in children?
In children, a sore throat is almost always due to an infection. A host of bacteria and viruses can cause this common condition, also known as pharyngitis . Irritants such as cigarette smoke can also cause a sore throat.
How long does pharyngitis last?
Pharyngitis is the medical term for an infection or inflammation in the back of your throat (pharynx) that causes constant discomfort, pain and scratchiness in the throat. Pharyngitis can be acute and heal within three to seven days, while chronic pharyngitis can last up to several weeks.
What is differential diagnosis for sore throat?
Differential diagnosis. A sore throat is usually from irritation or inflammation. The most common cause (80%) is acute viral pharyngitis, a viral infection of the throat. Other causes include other infections (such as streptococcal pharyngitis ), trauma, and tumors. Gastroesophageal (acid) reflux disease can cause stomach acid…