Pharyngitis (sore throat) Inflammation of the pharyngeal mucous membranes

Etiology (causes)

1. Bacteria (Streptococcus) 2. Viruses 3. Other organisms 4. Trauma 5. Irritants 6. Dehydration 7. Tobacco or alcohol use

Signs and symptoms for Bacterial Infections

1. Enlarged red Tonsils 2. Exudate 3. Petechiae on the soft palate 4. Purulent discharge 5. Local lymph node enlargement 6. High fever 7. White blood cell count greater then 12,000/mm3 8. Throat culture + for beta-hemolytic Streptococcus

Labs/Dx

1. Gen-Probe 2. Optical Immunoassay (OIA) 3. Throat Culture 4. CBC when pharyngitis is severe or does not improve

Signs and symptoms for Viral infections

1. Low or no fever 2. White blood cell counter 10,000/mm3 or less

Therapy/Medications

1. Oral Penicillin or cephalosporin for streptoccal infection If patient is allergic to penicillin drugs from the macrolide class may be prescribed (azithromycin or erythromycin)

Interventions

1. Rest, increased fluid intake, humidification, and use of analgesics for pain 2. Gargling several times a day with warm saline and use of throat lozenges can increase comfort 3. Antibiotics for management of bacterial pharyngitis

Patient Teaching

1. Teach patient to complete entire antibiotic prescription with any bacterial infection 2. If Stridor or drooling develops Notify Rapid Response team 3. Teach patient how to check temp. morning and evening 4. Family members or close contacts who also have a sore throat should be evaluated

Assessment

1. Throat soreness and dryness 2. Throat pain 3. Pain on swallowing (odynophagia) 4. Difficulty swallowing 5. May have fever 6. Mild to severe redness may be seen with or without enlarged tonsils and with or without exudate. 7. Nasal discharge varying from thin and watery to thick and purulent 8. Enlargement of neck lymph nodes