Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, characterized by sore throat, odynophagia, and pharyngeal erythema, with or without tonsillar involvement and cervical lymphadenitis. Possible causes are viral infection (the common cold, influenza, mononucleosis, measles, chickenpox, croup), bacterial infection (Group A Streptococcus, chlamydia, gonorrhea), and non-infectious factors (dry air, air pollution, smoke, allergens such as pollen/dust mites/mold/pet dander, voice strain, acid reflux).