<Tr> <Th> Treatment </Th> <Td> NSAIDs, lidocaine </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Frequency </Th> <Td> ~ 7.5% of people in any 3 - month period </Td> </Tr> <P> Pharyngitis is inflammation of the back of the throat, known as the pharynx . It typically results in a sore throat and fever . Other symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, headache, a hoarse voice . Symptoms usually last three to five days . Complications can include sinusitis and acute otitis media . Pharyngitis is typically a type of respiratory tract infection . </P> <P> Most cases are caused by a viral infection . Strep throat, a bacterial infection, is the cause in about 25% of children and 10% of adults . Uncommon causes include other bacteria such as gonorrhea, fungus, irritants such as smoke, allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease . Specific testing is not recommended in people who have clear symptoms of a viral infection such as a cold . Otherwise a rapid antigen detection test (RAPD) or throat swab is recommended . Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include epiglottitis, thyroiditis, retropharyngeal abscess, and occasionally heart disease . </P>

A bacterial or viral infection of the throat is known as