* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download instruction sheet: sore throat (pharyngitis)
Rocky Mountain spotted fever wikipedia , lookup
Neglected tropical diseases wikipedia , lookup
Toxoplasmosis wikipedia , lookup
Cryptosporidiosis wikipedia , lookup
African trypanosomiasis wikipedia , lookup
Staphylococcus aureus wikipedia , lookup
Onchocerciasis wikipedia , lookup
Middle East respiratory syndrome wikipedia , lookup
Tuberculosis wikipedia , lookup
Henipavirus wikipedia , lookup
West Nile fever wikipedia , lookup
Herpes simplex wikipedia , lookup
Leptospirosis wikipedia , lookup
Herpes simplex virus wikipedia , lookup
Hookworm infection wikipedia , lookup
Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae wikipedia , lookup
Marburg virus disease wikipedia , lookup
Sexually transmitted infection wikipedia , lookup
Antibiotics wikipedia , lookup
Neisseria meningitidis wikipedia , lookup
Trichinosis wikipedia , lookup
Clostridium difficile infection wikipedia , lookup
Traveler's diarrhea wikipedia , lookup
Sarcocystis wikipedia , lookup
Hepatitis C wikipedia , lookup
Gastroenteritis wikipedia , lookup
Anaerobic infection wikipedia , lookup
Dirofilaria immitis wikipedia , lookup
Schistosomiasis wikipedia , lookup
Human cytomegalovirus wikipedia , lookup
Oesophagostomum wikipedia , lookup
Hepatitis B wikipedia , lookup
Infectious mononucleosis wikipedia , lookup
Coccidioidomycosis wikipedia , lookup
University of North Carolina Wilmington Abrons Student Health Center INSTRUCTION SHEET: SORE THROAT (PHARYNGITIS) The Student Health Provider has diagnosed infectious pharyngitis (an infection causing your sore throat). In addition to throat pain, infectious pharyngitis can cause fever, chills, fatigue, mild headache, and mild stomach ache. Throat infections are caused by germs (viruses and bacteria). Viral infections are more common; they are not treatable with antibiotics. Fortunately, even without treatment, most viral throat infections clear up after a few days. Bacterial infections usually last longer and cause more discomfort; bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics. Bacterial throat infections are most often caused by a Strep species of bacteria; the infection is called a strep throat. Unusual causes of throat infection exist, as well. Rarely, a bacterial species immune to commonlyprescribed antibiotics causes infection: The infection can worsen despite treatment. Also, a viral infection such as mononucleosis can cause a prolonged sore throat. MEASURES YOU SHOULD TAKE TO HELP TREAT YOUR THROAT INFECTION: 1. Rest. Drink plenty of fluids. Help your body fight the infection. 2. Over-the-counter pain medications can help ease the discomfort of a sore throat. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or naproxen can be taken, depending on individual preferences. 3. If an antibiotic is prescribed for bacterial infection, take the medicine until gone. Stopping the antibiotic too soon can result in return of infection. 4. Gargle with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. in 1 cup) or spray the throat with an over-the-counter sore throat medicine to help relieve the discomfort temporarily. 5. IF YOU WORSEN, SEEK MEDICAL CARE PROMPTLY. Seek immediate care if 1) the throat swells so much that it is noisy or difficult to breathe, or 2) you are sick out-of-proportion to a throat infection (high fever not decreasing with treatment, stiff neck, rash, severe headache, etc.). 6. The infection can take several days to improve, even with treatment. However, if you are not showing progressive improvement over four to five days, return to the Student Health Center or see your personal/referral provider promptly. SHC rev 5/12 Abrons Student Health Center · 601 S. College Road · Wilmington, NC 28403 · 910-962-3280 · Fax 910-962-4130 After-hours advice: Call Vitaline 910-815-5188