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Pharyngitis: Approach to diagnosis and treatment
Edward A Sykes1, Vincent Wu2, Michael M Beyea3
1First-year resident, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto in Ontario.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|April 11, 2020
Summary
This study offers family physicians an updated guide to diagnosing and treating pharyngitis, emphasizing careful diagnosis to prevent complications. Restraining antibiotic use for sore throats does not hinder recovery or increase risks from Streptococcus pyogenes.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is a frequent complaint in family medicine.
- It stems from inflammation of the pharynx, with causes including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial due to potential severe complications, such as acute rheumatic fever.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update family physicians on diagnosing and treating pharyngitis.
- To detail key symptoms, investigation methods, and common causes.
- To guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy and diagnostic testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical practice and peer-reviewed literature (1989-2018).
- Focus on clinical findings for diagnosis.
- Guidance on the judicious use of rapid antigen detection tests and throat cultures.
Main Results:
- Viral pharyngitis is often self-limiting.
- Bacterial and fungal infections typically necessitate antimicrobial treatment.
- Diagnosis relies heavily on thorough patient history and targeted testing.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should prioritize thorough patient history for pharyngitis diagnosis.
- Reserve rapid antigen detection tests for specific indications regarding antibiotic initiation.
- Restrained antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis is safe and does not increase risks of complications.
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