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Problem

Pharyngitis (sore throat) is a condition that occurs when your throat becomes inflamed.

Cause

The inflammation can be caused by a virus, a bacterium, or a fungus. Other noninfectious causes include postnasal drip, allergies, mouth breathing, and trauma.

Prevention

  1. Avoid sick people and crowds. Stay at home if you are sick.
  2. Cover your mouth when coughing.
  3. Donot share a drinking glass, kiss, or have close contact with anyone who has an upper respiratory infection.
  4. Gargle with warm salt water frequently. Use over-the-counter pain medications (such as acetominophen or ibuprofen) for pain relief.

Treatment Plan

  1. Hot tea, soup, and throat lozenges soothe your throat.
  2. Use disposable tissues when sneezing and when you blow your nose. If no tissue is available, do the “elbow sneeze” into the bend of your arm (away from your open hands). Dispose of the tissues and then wash your hands.
  3. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.

Activity: If you have strep throat, don’t return to school or work until you have completed a full 24 hours of antibiotic. Rest or nap as often as possible while youare sick.

Diet: Eat a healthy diet. If swallowing is difficult, eat soft foods such as ice cream, Jell-O, pudding, and soup. Avoid salt and spicy foods. Increase your fluid intake to 10 to 12 glasses a day.

Medications: You will be prescribed antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics would nt help. Donot share your prescription medications with other family members who are also sick. They need a full prescription, too. Many other medications are available over-the-counter, such as throat lozenges and cough suppressants.

You Have Been Prescribed: ______________________________________________________________

You Need to Take: _____________________________________________________________________

If you are prescribed antibiotics, complete all of the doses.

You Need to Notify the Office If:

  1. You have difficulty breathing because of the sore throat or enlarged tonsils.
  2. Your symptoms are worse after 24 hours of antibiotics.
  3. You are unable to keep down your antibiotic because of vomiting.
  4. You develop a rash or itching after starting the antibiotic.
  5. You are a diabetic and your blood glucose is high, or you have ketones in your urine.
  6. Other: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________