- Acute viral pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa caused by viral infections.
- In rare instances, significant edema, tonsillar hypertrophy, or secondary bacterial superinfection can lead to upper airway obstruction.
???? Common Viral Causes
- Adenovirus
- Influenza
- Parainfluenza
- Rhinovirus
- Enterovirus (e.g., Coxsackievirus)
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV – mononucleosis)
EBV and adenovirus are more likely to cause severe tonsillar enlargement, especially in children or adolescents.
???? Clinical Features
???? Typical Viral Pharyngitis:
- Sore throat
- Low-grade fever
- Nasal congestion, cough
- Mild erythema of throat, possible exudates
- Fatigue, malaise
???? Airway Obstruction Signs:
- Stridor
- Muffled voice (“hot potato voice”)
- Trismus (difficulty opening the mouth)
- Drooling
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Neck swelling (especially submandibular or tonsillar)
❗Often confused with peritonsillar abscess or epiglottitis — careful evaluation is crucial.
???? Diagnosis
- Clinical evaluation is key
- Consider:
- Lateral neck X-ray: To rule out epiglottitis
- Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy: If airway involvement suspected
- Monospot or EBV serology: In adolescents with massive tonsils
- Throat swab: For viral PCR or rapid strep test (to rule out bacterial pharyngitis)
????️ Management
???? 1. Airway Assessment First
- Evaluate for airway compromise
- If stridor, drooling, or hypoxia: prepare for intubation
- Early ENT/anesthesia involvement recommended
❗In massive tonsillar enlargement (
Attach
Search
Study
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info. See Cookie Preferences.
Original text
Rate this translation