Pharyngitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pharyngitis (fair-in-JI-tis) is an infection of the pharynx (FAIR-inks) that is commonly called "sore throat." Pharyngitis may be the first sign that you have an illness like a cold or the flu. Your throat may look raw, red, or swollen. You may also have a fever and feel like you have a lump in your throat. Glands on the sides of your neck may be tender and swollen. You may have breathing, swallowing, or talking problems because your throat is sore. You may have an earache. You may have white or yellow patches in the back of your throat.
  
  
• Your caregiver may do a throat culture to learn which type of germ is causing the sore throat. You will need antibiotic medicine if a bacteria called streptococcus (strep-toe-KAH-kus) or "strep" is causing your sore throat. Antibiotic medicine will not make your sore throat go away if it is caused by a virus. You will need anti-fungus medicine if your sore throat is caused by fungus. Rest, not smoking, gargling with warm salt water, and drinking lots of liquids will help your throat feel better. You should feel better in 1 to 5 days.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. If you feel it is not helping, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it unless your caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Keep track of the medicines you are taking and when you take them. Bring a list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
  
  
• If you are taking antibiotic or anti-fungus medicine, take them until they are all gone. Take them as directed by your caregiver even after you feel better and all your symptoms are gone.
  
  
• Ibuprofen (i-bew-PRO-fin) or acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-MIN-o-fin) are over-the-counter pain medicines that may help your achiness (A-kee-ness) or fever.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Appointment:

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Comfort for your throat:

• Suck on hard candy or cough drops.
  
  
• Gargle with 1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water or strong tea (warm or cold).
  
  
• Use a cool mist humidifier. This will add moisture to the air and help you breathe easier.
  
  
• Drink 8 to 10 (soda pop can size) glasses of water every day. You may want to drink juice, milk, milk shakes, or soups if your throat is too sore to eat solid food.
  
  
• Do not smoke. Stay away from others who are smoking.
  
  
• Rest both your body and your throat. Rest your voice by not talking or singing very much.
  
  
• Do not share food or drinks with anyone while you are sick.
  
  
• Get a new toothbrush. Your old toothbrush may hold the germs that are causing your sore throat.

School/Work:

You may return to work or school 24 hours after starting antibiotic medicine.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have large and tender lumps in your neck.
  
  
• You have a rash, cough, ear pain, or whitish-yellow patches or blisters in the back of your throat.
  
  
• You cough-up or blow green, yellow-brown, or bloody mucus or liquid from your nose.
  
  
• Your throat is so swollen or painful that you cannot eat or drink anything.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have new symptoms like a bad headache, stiff neck, chest pain, or you feel like vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
  
  
• You are drooling (unable to swallow your spit).

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Pharyngitis (Discharge Care)