Acute Viral Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the pharynx (back of the throat) and may include the uvula (the small finger of tissue that hangs down at the back of the throat) and the tonsils (oval patches of tissue located on each side of the uvula). Inflammation of the tonsils is often accompanied by inflammation of the adenoids which are situated above the uvula. Inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids results in red swollen painful patches of tissue which may interfere with breathing or swallowing and sense of smell. The impaired breathing is caused by the swollen adenoids partially blocking the nasal passages which can result in snoring and the typical stuffy nose voice.

Pharyngiti, more commonly known as sore throat

Most cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses,  particularly adenoviruses, enteroviruses or Epstein Barr virus. Infection with adenovirus often causes an accompanying conjunctivitis.
Bactria may also infect the tonsils or adenoids, particularly Streptococcus pyogenes – hence the expression strep throat. Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause pharyngitis in sexually active individuals.
In some patients, infection may progress to produce a peritonsillar abscess also known as Quinsy. Some individuals are particularly susceptible to tonsillar infections and suffer repeated bouts of pharyngitis.
Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes may result in the subsequent development of rheumatic heart disease caused by the immune system attacking antigens on the heart valve which it mistakes for antigens on the bacteria, or glomerulonephritis caused by the deposition of antigen/antibody complexes in the kidneys.