Differential Diagnosis for Throat Redness, Pain, and Fever
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pharyngitis (most commonly caused by viral infections, but also can be bacterial, such as Streptococcus pyogenes): This is the most likely diagnosis due to the combination of throat redness, pain, and fever, which are classic symptoms of pharyngitis.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils, which can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, presenting with similar symptoms.
- Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx, usually caused by viral infections, leading to hoarseness, throat pain, and fever.
- Mononucleosis (caused by Epstein-Barr virus): Presents with sore throat, fever, and lymphadenopathy, among other symptoms.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Epiglottitis: A potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention, characterized by inflammation of the epiglottis, which can lead to airway obstruction. Symptoms include severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and shortness of breath.
- Lemierre's Syndrome: A rare but serious condition following a bacterial pharyngitis, leading to jugular vein thrombosis and septicemia. It presents with persistent fever, neck pain, and swelling after an initial sore throat.
- Retropharyngeal Abscess: A collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat, which can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly, including airway obstruction. Symptoms include severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, fever, and neck stiffness.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Diphtheria: A bacterial infection affecting the membranes of the throat and nose, though rare in areas with widespread vaccination, it can cause severe respiratory problems.
- Kawasaki Disease: An illness that affects children and causes fever, throat pain, and other symptoms, including rash and lymph node swelling. It's rare but can lead to serious cardiac complications if not treated.
- Infectious Mononucleosis due to other pathogens (like CMV): While less common than EBV, other viruses can cause a mononucleosis-like syndrome with sore throat and fever.