Pharyngitis Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Your symptoms depend on the cause of the condition. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to pharyngitis or tonsillopharyngitis. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor.

Symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck

Diagnosis

The doctor will perform a physical exam, looking closely at your mouth, throat, nose, ears, and the lymph nodes in your neck.

• This physical exam may include:
  • Using a small instrument to look inside the nose, ears, and mouth
  • Gently touching the lymph nodes (glands) in your neck to check for swelling
  • Taking your temperature
  • Examining your ears
• The doctor will ask questions about:
  • Your family and medical history
  • Recent exposure to someone with strep throat or any other infection of the throat, nose, or ears
• Other tests include:
  • Rapid strep test or throat culture—using a cotton swab to touch the back of the throat to check for strep throat
  • Blood tests —to identify conditions that may be causing the sore throat
  • Mono spot test (if mononucleosis is suspected)