Podcast
Questions and Answers
A 16-year-old presents with a sore throat, fever, and tonsillar exudates, but reports no cough. A rapid strep test is negative. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?
A 16-year-old presents with a sore throat, fever, and tonsillar exudates, but reports no cough. A rapid strep test is negative. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?
- Prescribe amoxicillin due to the high suspicion for bacterial pharyngitis.
- Order a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia.
- Reassure the patient that it is most likely viral pharyngitis and prescribe symptomatic treatment.
- Perform a throat culture to confirm or exclude group A Streptococcus. (correct)
A patient presents with a sore throat, fever, and a dry cough. Which of the following features would be MOST indicative of viral, rather than bacterial, pharyngitis?
A patient presents with a sore throat, fever, and a dry cough. Which of the following features would be MOST indicative of viral, rather than bacterial, pharyngitis?
- Absence of fever
- Presence of a cough (correct)
- Tonsilar exudates
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
A young adult is diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis. What activity should they avoid, and why?
A young adult is diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis. What activity should they avoid, and why?
- Avoid eating solid food due to throat pain.
- Avoid going outside due to photosensitivity.
- Avoid physical activity due to the risk of splenic rupture. (correct)
- Avoid talking to prevent spread of infection.
A patient presents with a sore throat. Which of the following 'red flag' symptoms would warrant immediate further investigation (CT scan and ENT consultation) to rule out a more serious infection?
A patient presents with a sore throat. Which of the following 'red flag' symptoms would warrant immediate further investigation (CT scan and ENT consultation) to rule out a more serious infection?
A patient tests positive for influenza within 24 hours of symptom onset. Which antiviral medication is MOST appropriate and how does it work?
A patient tests positive for influenza within 24 hours of symptom onset. Which antiviral medication is MOST appropriate and how does it work?
A patient presents with fever, a dry cough, and anosmia (loss of smell). Besides supportive care, which of the following is MOST important in this scenario?
A patient presents with fever, a dry cough, and anosmia (loss of smell). Besides supportive care, which of the following is MOST important in this scenario?
A patient is diagnosed with viral pharyngitis. Which of the following management strategies is MOST appropriate?
A patient is diagnosed with viral pharyngitis. Which of the following management strategies is MOST appropriate?
A patient presents with sore throat and flu-like symptoms. How would you differentiate between bacterial tonsillopharyngitis and viral tonsillopharyngitis?
A patient presents with sore throat and flu-like symptoms. How would you differentiate between bacterial tonsillopharyngitis and viral tonsillopharyngitis?
Flashcards
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin
Antibiotic used for bacterial pharyngitis, especially caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Bacterial Pharyngitis Symptoms
Bacterial Pharyngitis Symptoms
A throat infection typically presenting with sore throat, fever, tonsillar exudates and swollen lymph nodes.
Throat Swab Culture
Throat Swab Culture
Test used to confirm Group A Streptococcus as the cause of bacterial pharyngitis.
Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir
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COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 Symptoms
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Bacterial Tonsillopharyngitis Features
Bacterial Tonsillopharyngitis Features
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Viral Tonsillopharyngitis Features
Viral Tonsillopharyngitis Features
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Infectious Mononucleosis
Infectious Mononucleosis
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Study Notes
- Amoxicillin, a beta-lactam antibiotic, treats bacterial pharyngitis caused by group A Streptococcus.
- Bacterial pharyngitis symptoms include sore throat, erythema of the tonsils and pharynx, fever, tonsillar exudates, as well as cervical lymphadenopathy.
- Coughing is not usually a symptom of bacterial pharyngitis.
- Viral pharyngitis is more common, often includes a cough, and does not require antibiotics.
- Chest x-rays evaluate pneumonia in patients with cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
- Pharyngitis, an upper respiratory tract infection, does not typically warrant a chest x-ray.
- A throat swab culture confirms bacterial pharyngitis caused by group A Streptococcus.
- The rapid test for group A Streptococcus has a 70–90% sensitivity in detecting streptococcal pharyngitis.
- If the rapid strep test is negative, especially for children and adolescents, a throat culture is recommended.
- Symptomatic treatment, including rest, analgesics, and saltwater gargles, is advised for viral pharyngitis as it is self-limited and resolves in 3-4 days.
- Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, treats influenza.
- Influenza symptoms include sore throat, dry cough, headache, rhinorrhea, fever, chills, arthralgia, and myalgias.
- Oseltamivir is most effective when started within 1–2 days of symptom onset.
- Red flag symptoms for serious throat infections include jaw lock, drooling, and unilateral neck swelling, which require an urgent CT scan and ENT consultation.
- COVID-19 symptoms include fever, dry cough, anosmia, and known exposure to the virus.
- Bacterial tonsillopharyngitis features include fever, pharyngeal and/or tonsillar exudates, scarlatiniform rash, cervical lymphadenitis, and absence of cough.
- Viral tonsillopharyngitis features include cough, coryza, oral ulcers, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and absence of fever.
- Infectious mononucleosis commonly affects adolescents and young adults, involving splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.
- A Monospot test diagnoses infectious mononucleosis.
- Patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis should avoid physical activity due to the risk of splenic rupture.
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Description
Differentiating between bacterial and viral pharyngitis is crucial for appropriate treatment. Bacterial pharyngitis, often caused by Group A Streptococcus, requires antibiotics like amoxicillin. Viral pharyngitis is more common, often includes a cough, and does not require antibiotics.
