Pharyngitis primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]

Primary prevention of pharyngitis is through maintenance of good hygiene, immunization, timely diagnosis, and isolation of the patient if necessary.

Primary prevention of pharyngitis depends mainly on good handwashing and preventing the spread of oral secretions.^[1] There are certain vaccines available for measles which are effective in prevention and vaccines for RSV and parainfluenza viruses are currently under development. These vaccines could have a significant effect on the population’s health, particularly on that of the youngest children. Certain adenoviral vaccines have been used with some degree of success, mostly in military personnel.^[1] To date, there are no immunizations available to prevent streptococcal disease, although trials evaluating group B and group A vaccines are underway. For patients who have had prior group A disease and subsequent rheumatic fever, penicillin prophylaxis is recommended. Diphtherial pharyngitis transmission can be prevented by isolation. Close contacts should be contacted and cultured for prophylactic antibiotics. Timely and accurate identification of patients with GAS pharyngitis and appropriate antibiotic treatment is the strategy for primary prevention of acute renal failure.^[2]