Does acute pharyngitis cause fever?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Acute pharyngitis may cause a fever, but overall, the proportion of cases that develop a fever is relatively small. This is mainly because acute pharyngitis is caused by acute bacterial infections, with a small number of patients possibly experiencing concurrent acute viral infections leading to inflammation. Generally, the common symptoms include sudden onset of sore throat which may affect breathing or swallowing, such as a feeling of obstruction or a foreign body sensation in the throat. Some patients may experience fevers, typically seen in those with more severe inflammatory responses or who have been ill for a longer time without timely treatment. Generally, the fever is mild, though a small number of patients may experience high fever. The main treatment method is anti-infection therapy, and if the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, it can be combined with antipyretic drugs. (Please consult a professional physician for medication use, and do not medicate blindly.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

The difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis

The differentiation between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis mainly involves the following aspects: First, the onset duration. Generally, acute pharyngitis has a short onset, often sudden, and typically lasts about a week; whereas chronic pharyngitis tends to have a longer duration of illness, possibly involving repeated episodes, usually lasting from one to three months or more. Second, in terms of clinical symptoms, acute pharyngitis usually presents sudden onset of throat pain, which can be relatively severe; chronic pharyngitis may involve pain, but it is generally milder and recurrent, fluctuating, with some patients experiencing a sensation of a foreign body or itchiness in the throat. Third, it can be diagnosed through laryngoscopic examination.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of acute pharyngitis

The symptoms of acute pharyngitis are multifaceted. Initially, the onset of the disease is quite sudden. The main symptoms start with dryness, heat, and liver pain, which is the most common description by patients. Furthermore, there is a sensation of a foreign object in the throat, leading to exacerbated pain when coughing. This pain is particularly noticeable during swallowing, making it difficult to even eat or swallow saliva. Additionally, this pain can radiate to the sides, commonly causing ear pain when chewing or eating, resulting in both throat and ear pain. Systemic symptoms can resemble those of a cold, such as mild fever, high body temperature, headache, loss of appetite, and general weakness.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does pharyngitis spread?

Pharyngitis refers to the acute and chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosal tissue, and local lymphatic tissue. Clinically, it mainly presents as a sore throat or a foreign body sensation in the throat, among other discomforts. Acute pharyngitis should be noted for its certain contagiousness, primarily due to viral infections, bacterial infections, or a combination of both, thus it is contagious. Appropriate precautions such as isolation measures, like wearing masks, should be considered. As for chronic pharyngitis, it is not contagious, so special isolation measures are not necessary. Regarding pharyngitis accompanying other diseases, such as reflux pharyngitis which may also involve Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach, some literature reports suggest that Helicobacter pylori can be contagious during chronic pharyngitis, but this has not been fully confirmed and is only based on some reports. In summary, acute pharyngitis is confirmed to be contagious, while chronic pharyngitis is currently not contagious.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Acute pharyngitis clinical symptoms

Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngologic disease with various clinical symptoms and individual differences. Common symptoms include sudden onset of sore throat, and some patients may experience severe pain. There may also be a sensation of swallowing obstruction and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, fever may occur. Upon these symptoms, it is necessary to promptly visit an otolaryngologist for routine blood tests and laryngoscopic examinations to determine the specific extent and type of infection and inflammation. Treatment generally focuses on antibiotic therapy to combat infection, and nebulizer therapy can also be used. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to completely cure chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, and it is still difficult to achieve a complete cure at present. There are various treatment methods, among which oral Chinese patent medicine and nebulization treatment are commonly used. It is also advised to regulate the diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol, and regularly re-examine the throat with a laryngoscope to observe changes in the condition. However, with the existing medical procedures and treatment plans, it is still hard to completely cure and can be recurrent. Overall, chronic pharyngitis does not pose a significant risk to overall health. It mainly causes discomfort in the throat area, but most cases can be controlled and alleviated with standardized treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)