Pharyngitis (redirected from Pain in throat)

pharyngitis

Inflammation and infection (usually bacterial or viral) of the pharynx. Symptoms include pain (sore throat, worse on swallowing), redness, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Throat culture may be the only way to distinguish infection with streptococcus bacteria (strep throat), which can cause rheumatic fever if not treated in time with antibiotics, from viral infections, which do not respond to antibiotics and require only symptom relief.

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pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

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pharyngitis [‚far·ən′jīd·əs]

(medicine)

Inflammation of the pharynx.

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Pharyngitis 

acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

Acute pharyngitis in man is caused primarily by microbes (streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pneumococcus) and viruses (grippe and the adenoviruses); in the case of a severe cold or sinusitis, the inflammation frequently spreads to the pharynx from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The symptoms of pharyngitis are dryness of the pharynx, painful swallowing—especially in the absence of food or drink—and a body temperature ranging from normal to 37.5°C. Treatment includes gargling with alkaline and disinfectant solutions, drinking warm liquids, and a bland diet.

Chronic pharyngitis may result from repeated acute infections of the pharynx, chronic infections in the nose and paranasal sinuses, chronic tonsillitis, and prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx caused by smoking, alcohol abuse, the inhalation of dust or noxious gases, and overexposure to cold. The symptoms are dryness of the pharynx, a burning or tickling sensation (a “scratchy” throat), painful swallowing, coughing, and the frequent need to expectorate. The condition is treated by removing the causative factors, gargling or rinsing the pharynx with alkaline solutions (inhalation), and applying a solution of Lugol’s caustic in glycerine to the posterior wall of the pharynx.

REFERENCES

See references under LARYNGITIS.

L. V. NEIMAN

Pharyngitis in animals is caused by the penetration of microorganisms in the pharyngeal tissues, usually resulting from a chill to the body or from the effect of extreme cold on the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Certain infectious diseases, such as anthrax, strangles, and pasteurellosis, may be accompanied by pharyngitis. The symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, excessive salivation, nasal discharge (with nasal regurgitation of food), swelling and soreness in the region of the pharynx, and—in acute pharyngitis—elevation of body temperature. Treatment includes application of heat to the affected areas, parenteral treatment with sulfanilamides and antibiotics, and serotherapy.