Inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils caused by infection due to a virus. It tends to happen in toddlers aged 3 to 5 years old.
It begins with catarrhal symptoms and a cough, followed by mild pain when swallowing. However, it is rare to see fever, pus and swollen lymph glands in the neck.
Diagnosis is clinical through questioning and a physical examination. Sometimes a laboratory test is needed to rule out a bacterial infection.
As it is a viral infection, treatment is only symptomatic of the pain with common analgesics and antibiotics are not needed. Home remedies can also be used like rinses with warm water and salt.
Check with your paediatrician if there is persistent or very high fever, if the pain prevents from a correct nutrition or if neck mobility problems appear.
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- J. Mensa. Infecciones en otorrinolaringología. Infecciones de la faringe: faringitis. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen II. Duodécima edición. 2498:2500.
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- Ellen R Wald. Group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children and adolescents: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate. Sep 29, 2019.
- Jan E Drutz. Sore throat in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. UpToDate. Sep 16, 2016.
