Throat infection

Scarlet fever The red rash of scarlet fever usually begins on the face or neck, later spreading to the chest, trunk, arms and legs. Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever features a bright red rash that covers most of the body. Scarlet fever almost always includes a sore throat and a high fever. Scarlet fever is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age. Although scarlet fever was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made it less threatening. Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body. Symptoms The signs and symptoms that give scarlet fever its name include: • Red rash. The rash looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper. It typically begins on the face or neck and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. Pushing on the reddened skin makes it turn pale. • Red lines. The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck usually become a deeper red than the other areas with the rash. • Flushed face. The face may appear flushed with a pale ring around the mouth. • Strawberry tongue. The tongue generally looks red and bumpy, and it's often covered with a white coating early in the disease. Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever also include: • Fever of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or higher, often with chills • Very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or ...

Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. Advanced Search: • Use “ “ for phrases o [ “pediatric abdominal pain” ] • Use – to remove results with certain terms o [ “abdominal pain” –pediatric ] • Use OR to account for alternate terms o [teenager OR adolescent ] Search A-Z The tonsils contain Components of the Immune System The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders. Such invaders include Microorganisms (commonly called germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) Parasites... read more that is part of the body's immune defense system. Thus, the tonsils and nearby throat tissue frequently become infected by organisms that enter the nose and throat. Throat infections are usually caused by a virus. Most often, it is one of the viruses that cause the common cold, such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, or respiratory syncytial virus. Less often, another virus is involved, such as the Infectious Mononucleosis Epstein-Barr virus causes a number of diseases, including infectious mononucleosis. The virus is spread through kissing. Symptoms vary, but the most common are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat... read more (which causes mononucleosis) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection (HIV). In less than one third of people, throat infections are caused by a bacterial infection. Group A streptococcus ( Streptococcal Infections Streptococcal infections are caused by any one of several species ...

A throat infection, sometimes called Symptoms of throat infection most commonly include pain and a sensation of heat in the throat. The infection may also affect other structures within the throat, particularly the tonsils. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include fever, If the infection is focused on the tonsils, some clinicians may refer to the infection as tonsillitis. Sean Locke/Stocksy United Throat infections with different causes Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority • body • • • • enlarged lymph nodes or tonsils • • • • You may or may not experience all of these symptoms, depending on the cause or extent of the infection. At times, any of these symptoms can become severe. When should I contact a doctor for a throat infection? You • have a fever of above 101°F (38.3°C) for more than 1–2 days • have trouble sleeping due to symptoms • notice a red • have • are having treatment for throat infection, but mild symptoms recur or are persistent • feel concerned for any other reason Emergency medical attention Seek immediate medical care by calling 911for serious symptoms, such as: • • rapid heart rate • sudden swelling of the tongue or throat structures • change in the level of consciousness or alertness, such as: • passing out • unresponsiveness • sudden change in mental status or behavior, such as: • • delirium • • • delusions How do doctors treat a throat infection? The most important step in treating a thro...

What is a viral throat infection? A viral throat infection is an infection of the throat, or pharynx, that is caused by viruses. Viruses are different from bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes (which causes "strep throat"). Viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats in children and adults. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, cough, or others depending on the specific virus. Less common symptoms that sometimes present in children include fluid-filled bumps on the hands, feet, or mouth, or, in adults, painful mouth ulcers. Treatment focuses on rest, hydration, and over-the-counter methods to alleviate symptoms. Some cases require antiviral medications. Antibiotics are not useful for viral infections. You can gargle with salt water and use over the counter pain medication like Tylenol to treat your painful or sore throat. Symptoms of a viral throat infection Main symptoms The main symptoms of a viral throat infection are detailed below. • Sore throat: The most common symptom of a viral throat infection is a sore throat. Sore throat caused by a viral throat infection usually develops gradually and will typically last for two to seven days. A sudden onset sore throat suggests a different cause such as a bacterial throat infection. • Fever: Some people with a viral throat infection may develop a fever. The fever caused by a viral throat infection is usually low-grade but may be high when associated with Epstein-Barr virus (E...

Bacterial infections are diseases that can affect your skin, lungs, brain, blood and other parts of your body. You get them from single-celled organisms multiplying or releasing toxins in your body. Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections. They’re often treated with antibiotics. Overview Bacterial infections can spread between people, in airborne particles, through bug bites or through contaminated food, water or surfaces. What is a bacterial infection? Bacterial infections are any illness or condition caused by bacterial growth or poisons (toxins). You can get sick from getting harmful bacteria in your skin, gut (GI tract), lungs, heart, brain, blood or anywhere else in your body. Harmful bacteria from the environment, an infected person or animal, a bug bite or something contaminated (like food, water or surfaces) can cause infections. Bacteria that’s not normally harmful but that gets into a place in your body where it shouldn’t be can also cause infections. What is bacteria? Most bacteria aren’t harmful, and many are even helpful. They can help you digest food and kill off other harmful forms of bacteria that try to invade your body. But even the helpful ones can hurt you if they grow where they’re not supposed to. What’s the difference between a bacterial infection and viral infection? Living, single-celled organisms that can reproduce on their own cause bacterial infections. Only a few types of bacteria cau...

Diagnosis Your or your child's doctor may review the symptoms and medical history. He or she may conduct a physical exam that includes: • Using a lighted instrument to look at the throat, and likely the ears and nasal passages • Gently feeling the neck to check for swollen glands (lymph nodes) • Listening to your or your child's breathing with a stethoscope Throat swab In many cases, doctors use a simple test to detect streptococcal bacteria, the cause of strep throat. The doctor rubs a sterile swab over the back of the throat to get a sample of secretions and sends the sample to a lab for testing. Many clinics are equipped with a lab that can get a test result for a rapid antigen test within a few minutes. However, a second, often more reliable test, called a throat culture, is sometimes sent to a lab that returns results within 24 to 48 hours. Rapid antigen tests aren't as sensitive, although they can detect strep bacteria quickly. Because of this, the doctor may send a throat culture to a lab to test for strep throat if the antigen test comes back negative. In some cases, doctors may use a molecular test to detect streptococcal bacteria. In this test, a doctor swipes a sterile swab over the back of the throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample is tested in a lab. Your or your child's doctor may have accurate results within a few minutes. Treatment A sore throat caused by a viral infection usually lasts five to seven days and doesn't usually require medical treatm...

A sore throat is a painful, dry, or scratchy feeling in the throat. Pain in the throat is one of the most common symptoms, which accounts for Most sore throats are caused by infections, or by environmental factors like dry air. Although a sore throat can be uncomfortable, it will usually go away on its own. Sore throats are divided into types, based on the part of the throat they affect: • • • The symptoms of a sore throat can vary depending on what caused it. A sore throat can feel: • scratchy • burning • raw • dry • tender • irritated It may hurt more when you swallow or talk. Your throat or tonsils might also look red. Sometimes, white patches or areas of pus will form on the tonsils. These white patches are more common in strep throat than in a sore throat caused by a virus. Along with the sore throat, you may also have symptoms like: • • runny nose • • cough • fever • • swollen glands in the neck • hoarse voice • body aches • • trouble swallowing • Strep throat vs. sore throat Sore throat may be a symptom of Streptococcus pyogenes, a type of bacteria. In addition to a sore throat, strep throat can also cause other symptoms, • • fever • • headache • stomach pain • red or • small red spots on the roof of the mouth • Unlike other conditions that can cause a sore throat, strep throat is not associated with coughing, runny nose, pink eye, or hoarseness. Additionally, while a sore throat usually improves on its own over time, strep throat requires treatment with an antibiot...

Inflamed tonsils Tonsils are fleshy pads located at each side of the back of the throat. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one tonsil on each side. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck. Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by infection with a common virus, but bacterial infections also may cause tonsillitis. Because appropriate treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause, it's important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Surgery to remove tonsils, once a common procedure to treat tonsillitis, is usually performed only when tonsillitis occurs frequently, doesn't respond to other treatments or causes serious complications. Symptoms Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the midteenage years. Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include: • Red, swollen tonsils • White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils • Sore throat • Difficult or painful swallowing • Fever • Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck • A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice • Bad breath • Stomachache • Neck pain or stiff neck • Headache In young children who are unable to describe how they feel, signs of tonsillitis may include: • Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing • Refusal to eat • Unusual fussiness When to see a doctor It's important to get an accurate diagnosis if ...

Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together. Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection. Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration. But with laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This makes the vocal cords swell, which distorts the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral infection and aren't serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition. Symptoms In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include: • Hoarseness • Weak voice or voice loss • Tickling sensation and rawness in your throat • Sore throat • Dry throat • Dry cough When to see a doctor You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice ...

Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together. Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection. Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration. But with laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This makes the vocal cords swell, which distorts the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral infection and aren't serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition. Symptoms In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include: • Hoarseness • Weak voice or voice loss • Tickling sensation and rawness in your throat • Sore throat • Dry throat • Dry cough When to see a doctor You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice ...