Pharyngitis epidemiology and demographics

Pharyngitis is one of the most common disorders in adults and children, with more than 10 million ambulatories visits per year. Group A streptococcus is by far the most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis, accounting for approximately 15 to 30 percent of cases in children and 5 to 10 percent of cases in adults. Peak seasons for a sore throat include late winter and early spring. Transmission of typical viral and Group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis occurs mostly by hand contact with nasal discharge, rather than by oral contact.

Viruses are the most common causes of pharyngitis and account for 25% to 45% of all cases.^[1][2] Group A streptococcus presents in up to 37% of all children presenting with a sore throat to an outpatient clinic or emergency room and 24% of those presenting at younger than 5 years.^[3][4][5]

• The highest burden of disease is found in children and young adults, with 50% of cases identified between the ages of 5 to 24 years.^[6]
• The GAS accounts for 5% to 10% of pharyngitis in adults and 15% to 30% in children.^[7]
• Infectious mononucleosis more common in the age group between 15 and 24 years of age.^[8]

Men and women are affected equally by pharyngitis.

The prevalence of pharyngitis does not vary by race.