Sore throat

Differential Diagnosis

Acute

Bacterial Infections

1. Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
2. N. gonorrhea
3. C. diptheriae

Viral Infections

1. Rhinovirus
2. Coronavirus
3. Adenovirus
4. Herpesvirus
5. Influenza virus
6. Coxsackievirus
7. EBV
8. HIV (Acute Retroviral Syndrome)

Noninfectious

1. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
2. Pemphigus
3. Angioedema

Other

• Retropharyngeal Abscess
• Peritonsillar Abscess
• Epiglottitis
• Kawasaki Disease
• Penetrating injury
• Caustic exposure
• Lemierre's Syndrome

Chronic

• GERD
• obstructive sleep apnea
• fungal infections (ex. candida)
• chronic sinusitis with post nasal drip
• inhalation of irritants (smoke, chlorine gas)
• breathing dry air
• glossopharyngeal neuralgia
• Tumor:
  • Tongue
  • Larynx
  • Thyroid
• monomyelocytic leukemia
• Thyroiditis
• Retained Foreign Body

See Also

Strep Pharyngitis

Source

Harwood-Nuss, Rosens, Tintinalli