What are pharyngitis and tonsillitis?

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are throat infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are mainly affected, it's called tonsillitis. If the throat is mainly affected, it's called pharyngitis. If you have both, it’s called pharyngotonsillitis. These infections are spread by close contact with others. Most cases happen during the winter or colder months.

What causes pharyngitis and tonsillitis?

There are many causes of throat infections. Viruses are the most common cause, and antibiotics won't help. Causes of throat infections include:

• Viruses (most common).

• Bacteria such as strep.

• Fungal infections.

• Parasitic infections.

• Cigarette smoke.

• Other causes.

What are the symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis?

The symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis depend greatly on what’s causing it. For some people, symptoms may start quickly. For others, symptoms start slowly. The most common symptoms are:

• A sore throat.

• A fever (low-grade or high-grade).

• A headache.

• Loss of appetite.

• Not feeling well.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Stomachaches.

• Painful swallowing.

• Redness or drainage in the throat.

The symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis may look like other health conditions or problems. Always check with your doctor for a diagnosis.

How are pharyngitis and tonsillitis diagnosed?

In most cases, it's hard to tell the difference between a viral sore throat and a strep throat based on a physical exam. But it's important to know if the sore throat is caused by strep bacteria. Antibiotics are needed for strep infections.

As a result, most people with the above symptoms will get a strep test and throat culture to find out if it's an infection caused by strep. This will be done using a throat swab in the doctor's office.

Quick tests, called rapid strep tests, may be done. This may quickly show as positive for strep so antibiotics can be started. If it's negative, part of the throat swab may be kept for a throat culture. It will help identify strep in 2 to 3 days if strep is present. Your doctor will discuss the treatment plan with you based on the results of the throat culture.

How are pharyngitis and tonsillitis treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

If bacteria are not the cause of the infection, the treatment is often more for comfort. Antibiotics will not help treat viral sore throats. Treatment may include:

• Taking acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen for pain and fever. (Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, are on blood thinners, or have ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.)

• Drinking more fluids.

• Using throat lozenges.

• Gargling with warm salt water.

Antibiotics are prescribed if the infection is bacterial.

What are possible complications of pharyngitis and tonsillitis?

Most cases of pharyngitis and tonsillitis will run their course without any problems. But if the disease is caused by strep, rare complications can happen. These include rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and kidney disease. Treatment with antibiotics can prevent these complications. In rare cases, a pocket of infection (peritonsillar abscess) can develop in the tissues around the tonsils. This may need to be drained by your doctor.

When should I call my doctor?

If a sore throat includes increasing pain with swallowing or mild neck swelling, see a doctor right away.

Key points about pharyngitis and tonsillitis

• Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are throat infections that cause inflammation.

• These infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and cigarette smoking.

• Most infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't cure a viral infection and should not be used.

• If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, it will be treated with antibiotics.

• Pharyngitis and tonsillitis can be treated with pain relievers, drinking more fluids, throat lozenges, and gargling with warm salt water.

Next steps

Here are some tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you don't take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions.