By:
ZaiBasig
PHARYNGITIS
 infection and inflammation of the throat
 peak incidence occurs between 4 and 7
years of age
 either bacterial or viral in origin
 may occur as a result of a chronic allergy
in which there is constant postnasal
discharge that results in secondary
irritation
 usually accompanies all common upper
respiratory infections
VIRAL PHARYNGITIS
 causative agent of pharyngitis is usually
an adenovirus
 symptoms
 mild:
 sore throat
 fever
 general malaise
 regional lymph nodes may be noticeably
enlarged
 Erythema present in the back of the
pharynx and the palatine arch.
 Laboratory studies will indicate an
increased white blood cell count.
 If the inflammation is mild, children rarely
need more than an oral analgesic such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen for comfort.
 Warm heat applied to the external neck
area using a warm towel or heating pad
also can be soothing.
 By school age, gargling with a solution
such as warm water to help reduce the
pain. B
 Because children’s throats feel so sore,
they often prefer liquids to solid food.
 Infants, especially, must be observed
closely until the inflammation and
tenderness diminish to be certain that
they take in sufficient fluid to prevent
dehydration.
STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS
 Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus
 organism most frequently involved in
bacterial pharyngitis in children
 All streptococcal infections must be taken
seriously because they can lead to cardiac
and kidney damage from the
accompanying autoimmune process
ASSESSMENT
 Streptococcal infections are generally
more severe than viral infections.
 symptoms are mild
 the back of the throat and palatine tonsils
are usually markedly erythematous
(bright red)
 the tonsils are enlarged and there may be
a white exudate in the tonsillar crypts.
 Petechiae may be present on the palate.
 A child typically appears ill with:
 a high fever
 an extremely sore throat
 difficulty swallowing
 overall lethargy
 Temperature is usually elevated to as high
as 104° F (40° C).
 The child often has a headache.
 Swollen abdominal lymph nodes may
cause abdominal pain.
 A throat culture
 confirms the presence of the
Streptococcus bacteria
THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT
 Treatment consists of a full 10-day course
of an oral antibiotic such as:
 penicillin G
 clindamycin
 Cephalosporins or broad-spectrum
macrolides such as erythromycin may be
prescribed if resistant organisms are
known to be in the community.
 Help parents understand the importance
of completing the full prescribed days of
therapy.
 The recommended treatment days are
necessary to ensure the streptococci are
eradicated completely.
 If they are not, the child may develop a
hypersensitivity or autoimmune reaction
to group A streptococci that can result in
rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.
 Symptoms of acute glomerulonephritis
(blood and protein in urine) appear in 1 to
2 weeks after the pharyngitis.
 2 weeks after treatment, children may be
asked to return to the health care facility
with a urine specimen to be examined for
protein to detect acute glomerulonephritis
 Measures for rest, relief of throat pain,
and maintaining hydration,
By: ZaiBasig