Sore throat Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is acute pharyngitis?
Inflammation of the oropharynx (behind the soft palate).
What is tonsillitis?
Inflammation of the tonsils.
What usually causes an acute sore throat?
Viral or bacterial infections.
What are common causes of sore throat in primary care?
Common cold, influenza, streptococcal infection, and infectious mononucleosis.
What virus most commonly causes mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
How long do sore throat symptoms usually take to resolve?
Within 3 days in 40% of people, and within 1 week in 85%.
What are first-line treatments for sore throat symptom relief?
Paracetamol or ibuprofen, hydration, medicated lozenges.
What tools help decide if antibiotics should be prescribed for sore throat?
FeverPAIN and Centor criteria.
What is the first-line antibiotic for sore throat?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin.
What antibiotic is given if the patient is allergic to penicillin?
Clarithromycin (or erythromycin in pregnancy).
What is the dosage of phenoxymethylpenicillin for adults?
500 mg 4 times daily for 5–10 days, or 1000 mg twice daily for 5–10 days.
What FeverPAIN score suggests considering an immediate or back-up antibiotic?
4 or 5.
What FeverPAIN score suggests no or back-up antibiotic?
2 or 3.
What does FeverPAIN stand for?
Fever (during previous 24 hours)
Purulence (pus on tonsils)
Attend rapidly (within 3 days after onset of symptoms)
Severely Inflamed tonsils
No cough or coryza (inflammation of mucus membranes in the nose)
What is Centor Criteria?
Tonsillar exudate
Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis
History of fever (over 38 degrees Celsius)
Absence of cough
