Swelling is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation. A swollen pharynx often indicates infection, especially when accompanied by sore throat, fever, headache, nausea and tender lymph nodes in the neck. If the swelling is severe enough, you may experience difficulty breathing and require medical assistance.
Causes of Pharyngitis
Inflammation of the pharynx, also known as pharyngitis or sore throat, is commonly caused by infection. According to the Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 90 percent of all cases are viral. The most common bacterial cause of pharyngitis is a species known as Group A Beta-Hemolytic streptococci, which are responsible for 50 percent of bacterial infections.
Natural Course of Pharyngitis
Most cases of pharyngitis are self-limiting, meaning they will go away on their own without any serious problems. In fact, sore throats that last longer than two weeks should be further investigated, as they may be cause by a serious infection deep within the neck or even a cancerous growth.
Complications
According to the National Institutes of Health, airway blockage may result from severe cases of pharyngitis. Immediate medical care is required to manage this complication. The pharynx is located directly behind the mouth and nasal cavity and swelling of this area could make breathing extremely difficult.
Treatment
While most cases of pharyngitis are viral and cannot be treated, bacterial causes should be further investigated. In order to properly manage a bacterial infection, your doctor may perform several tests to identify the strain of bacteria causing the infection. With this knowledge, she will be able to select a suitable antibiotic for your sore throat.
References
- Medline Plus: Pharyngitis; Linda Vorvick; 2010
- "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment: Pharyngitis"; Brian Schwartz; 2010
- "The Atlas of Emergency Medicine: Pharyngitis"; Edward Jauch, et.al; 2010
