Pharyngitis: Symptoms, Causes, and When to See a Doctor

Pharyngitis (sore throat) symptoms vary by etiology:

• Sore throat, odynophagia (painful swallowing)
• Hoarseness
• Cervical lymphadenopathy
• Fever, chills
• Headache, myalgia, fatigue
• Anorexia

Red flags (seek immediate care): Dyspnea, drooling, stridor (airway obstruction), inability to swallow fluids, peritonsillar abscess signs (trismus, uvular deviation).

Causes: viral (most common), bacterial (GAS), fungal, allergic, irritant. Diagnosis: clinical scoring (Centor), rapid strep test, culture. Treatment: supportive for viral; antibiotics for confirmed GAS.