From the Research
Implications of Pharyngitis in Pregnancy
- Pharyngitis is a common clinical problem that can have various causes, including streptococcal infection and infectious mononucleosis 1.
- In pregnant women, pharyngitis can be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as acute epiglottitis, which requires early diagnosis and aggressive airway management to prevent life-threatening complications for both the mother and the fetus 2.
- Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a rare condition that can occur in adults, including pregnant women, and may be associated with autoimmune inflammatory disease 3.
- Pregnancy can have an impact on the course of PFAPA syndrome, with symptoms potentially improving during pregnancy due to changes in the immune response, but reappearing after delivery 3.
- While there is limited information on the specific implications of pharyngitis in pregnancy, it is essential to consider the potential risks and complications associated with pharyngitis and other respiratory infections during pregnancy, particularly in women with pre-existing conditions such as asthma 4.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of the various etiologic agents of acute pharyngitis, including emerging and reemerging pathogens, when evaluating pregnant patients with pharyngitis symptoms 5.