General
· A sore throat of sudden onset that is mostly self-limited
· Fever and constitutional symptoms resolving in about 3 to 5 days
· Clinical signs and symptoms are similar for viral causes and nonstreptococcal bacterial causes
Signs and Symptoms
· Sore throat
· Pain on swallowing
· Fever
· Headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (especially children)
· Erythema/inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx with or without patchy exudates
· Enlarged, tender lymph nodes
· Red swollen uvula, petechiae on the soft palate, and a scarlatiniform rash
· Several symptoms that are not suggestive of group A streptococci are cough, conjunctivitis, coryza, and diarrhea
Signs Suggestive of Viral Origin for Pharyngitis
· Conjunctivitis
· Coryza
· Cough
· Diarrhea
Laboratory Tests
· Throat swab and culture
· Rapid antigen detection testing (RADT)
References
Wells BG, DiPiro J, Schwinghammer T (2013), Pharmacotherapy Handbook (6th Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey ML, (2008): Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Katz M D., Matthias KR., Chisholm-Burns M A., Pharmacotherapy(2011) Principles & Practice Study Guide: A Case-Based Care Plan Approach: New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Schwinghammer TL, Koehler JM (2009) Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.