1. Pharyngitis BY: ROBERT MARTINEZ, MICHAEL HUFFMAN, ROMAN REGALADO

2. What is it?  Commonly known as a sore throat, pharyngitis is an upper respiratory infection.  An infection of the throat.

3. Etiology  Commonly caused by the flu, the common cold, Coxsackie virus and mononucleosis.  A fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit can also promote pharyngitis however a low grade fever or no fever doesn’t inhibit growth either.  It is a gram negative bacteria or can also be found in a viral form.  The methods used to diagnose Strep Throat were not invented until the late 17th Century, so it is impossible to pinpoint an exact origin.

4. Epidemiology  Found more commonly amongst younger children.  40-80% of pharyngitis infections are caused by a virus versus the bacteria.  Can be found worldwide and is most prevalent during the flu/cold season.

5. Mode of Transmission  Direct contact (horizontal transmission) such as sneezing are common modes of transmission.  Direct contact with infected throat mucus, nasal discharge, or saliva.

6. Symptoms  Fever  Headache  Joint pain and muscle aches  Skin rashes  Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck  Hoarseness  Redness of the eyes  Dry cough  Runny or stuffy nose

7. Testing for diagnosis  A physical test performed by a physician is the preferred method to check for pharyngitis. However your doctor may also perform a throat culture to rule out the possibility of streptococcus.  A swollen neck and lymph nodes Is a key clue in pointing out Streptococcal pharyngitis.

8. Treatment  Antibiotics are not recommended because pharyngitis is a virus and in prescribing antibiotics would only allow for bacteria to grow immune to the treatment.  Drinking warm liquids such as tea, honey and milk often aid in soothing the irritation.  Gargling salt water.  Over the counter medicine such as acetaminophen.

9. Prevention  Avoiding contact with those infected.  Washing your hands frequently.  Avoid exposure to others who have a sore throat.  Avoid crowded areas during cold and flu season.  Do not smoke.  Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.  Keep vaccinations up to date.

10. Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn6sj6Cf-Yc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn6sj6Cf-Yc

11. References  http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_a-z_detail.asp?AZ=583&Page=2 http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_a-z_detail.asp?AZ=583&Page=2  http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/83/Streptococcus_pyogenes_01.jpg http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/83/Streptococcus_pyogenes_01.jpg  http://mddk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pharyngitis.jpg http://mddk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pharyngitis.jpg  http://www.cdc.gov/features/scarletfever/scarletfever_355px.jpg http://www.cdc.gov/features/scarletfever/scarletfever_355px.jpg  http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/sfmoms/2009/01/03/sinusitis- boy300x194.jpg http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/sfmoms/2009/01/03/sinusitis- boy300x194.jpg  http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/arti cles/health_tools/sore_throat_slideshow/PRinc_rm_photo_of_throat_swab.jpg http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/arti cles/health_tools/sore_throat_slideshow/PRinc_rm_photo_of_throat_swab.jpg  http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/saltwater.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/saltwater.jpg  http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/8/0/l804085215.jpg http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/8/0/l804085215.jpg  http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/08/01/ap091215023358_wide- 09a8eece703cb3d2c63450061044288208e68d55-s6-c30.jpg http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/08/01/ap091215023358_wide- 09a8eece703cb3d2c63450061044288208e68d55-s6-c30.jpg