What Is Viral Pharyngitis?
5. How Do Doctors Diagnose Viral Pharyngitis?
If someone goes to the doctor for a sore throat, a number of diagnostic methods may be used to find out what is going on, because there are numerous illnesses that can cause this symptom. The first thing a doctor will do is examine the throat to look for redness, swelling and any white, red or gray patches. The doctor may palpate the sides of the neck to see if the lymph nodes are swollen. The ears and nose may also be examined.
For viral pharyngitis, a physical exam usually gives the doctor enough information. If the doctor suspects something more is going on, a throat culture can be taken to diagnose strep throat. In rarer instances, the doctor may order blood work to determine a diagnosis of mononucleosis or another viral or bacterial infection.
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