Streptococcal Pharyngitis Paper Example

Introduction

Pharyngitis is a viral infection which causes an inflammation of the pharynx leading to a difficulty in swallowing and scratchiness in the throat. The main causes of streptococcal pharyngitis are group A streptococcus, whooping cough, chickenpox, adenovirus, and measles. The common symptoms of pharyngitis are fever, cough, chills, fatigue, malaise, rashes, loss of appetite, running nose, sneezing, body aches, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, swollen lymph nodes, and headache (Choby, 2009).

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According to Choby (2009), the diagnosis of pharyngitis is usually done through the use of blood tests, throat culture, and physical exam while it is commonly treated using antibiotics such as amoxicillin and penicillin. Moreover, this infection may be prevented by using humidifiers, eating warm broths, avoiding smoking, drinking plenty of water and other fluids, washing hands using hand sanitizers, and avoiding contacts or sharing of foods and drinks with those who have been infected.

Adenovirus infection

Adenovirus infection is a common childhood illness caused by the human adenovirus (HAdV) which affects the nervous system, urinary tract, lungs, and eyes. It normally causes pink eyes (conjunctivitis), bronchitis, common cold, pneumonia, diarrhea, sore throats, coughs, and fever. According to Tebruegge and Curtis (2012), its main symptoms include dehydration, persistent fever, swollen eyes, and breathing difficulties. The transmission of this infection occurs through touching infected surfaces or objects, sneezing and coughing, and shaking hands with an infected individual.

The diagnosis of adenovirus infection is done by conducting urine tests, blood tests, chest X-ray tests, stool test, polymerase chain reaction, serology, swab test, and direct immunofluorescence staining (Tebruegge & Curtis, 2012). However, no specific treatment exists for adenovirus infection but the use of hospital infection control protocols can help minimize their outbreaks. Moreover, common preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected people, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, hand washing using sanitizers, and avoiding cold by keeping warm.

Influenza

According to Erlikh, Abraham, and Kondamudi (2010), influenza or flu is a contagious respiratory disease which infects the lungs, throat, and nose. The major flu symptoms are fatigue, chills, and sweats, headache, body aches, nasal congestion, stuffy or running nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Since it is airborne, the flu virus normally spreads through sneezes and coughs which contain tiny droplets of the virus (Erlikh et al., 2010). While flu can infect anyone, children below five years, pregnant women, individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, and those sixty-five years or older are at a higher risk of contracting it.

The diagnosis of influenza is mainly carried out via the rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) while FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs such as peramivir, zanamivir, and oseltamivir are commonly used in treating flu besides antiviral therapy (Erlikh et al., 2010). Additionally, preventive measures such as getting a flu vaccination frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and avoiding contact with sick people can help reduce the chances of one contacting influenza.

References

Choby, B.E. (2009). Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. American Family Physician, 79(5), 383-390

Erlikh, I.V., Abraham, S.Y., & Kondamudi, V.K. (2010), Management of influenza. American Family Physician, 82 (9), 1087-1095

Tebruegge, M., & Curtis, N. (2012). Adenovirus: An overview for pediatric infectious diseasesspecialists. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 31 (6), 626-627