T
The Daily Insight

What causes nasopharyngitis

Author

Robert Spencer

Published May 05, 2026

Nasopharyngitis is caused typically by a virus, the most common virus being rhinovirus. Common colds are contagious and spread via tiny airborne droplets that enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes.

What is the difference between nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis may be catarrhal, hypertrophic, or atrophic. Tonsillitis is a subtype of pharyngitis. If the inflammation includes both the tonsils and other parts of the throat, it may be called pharyngotonsillitis or tonsillopharyngitis. Another subclassification is nasopharyngitis (the common cold).

Are rhinoviruses coronaviruses?

Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are recognized as the major causes of the common cold syndrome. The role of these viruses in more serious respiratory illnesses resulting in hospitalization is less well defined.

What is the meaning of acute nasopharyngitis?

Definition. Acute pharyngitis is characterized by the rapid onset of sore throat and pharyngeal inflammation (with or without exudate). Absence of cough, nasal congestion, and nasal discharge suggests a bacterial, rather than viral, etiology.

How is nasopharynx infection treated?

Infections due to bacteria are usually treated with antibiotics. If you’re infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, you may be hospitalized. You would be placed in a private room or a room with other patients with the same infection.

What heart medication has a side effect of nasopharyngitis?

  • sore throat and runny or stuffy nose (nasopharyngitis),
  • injection site reactions (swelling, pain, itching, redness, tenderness),
  • influenza,
  • urinary tract infection,
  • diarrhea,
  • bronchitis,
  • muscle pain or spasms,
  • sinus infection,

What medication has side effect of nasopharyngitis?

There are several adverse side effects noted in association with the use of Lipitor. Common colds, which are known medically as nasopharyngitis, can result from the medication, as can diarrhea. Another side effect that has been associated with Lipitor is arthralgia, more generally known as joint pain.

Is pharyngitis same as sore throat?

A sore throat, also called a throat infection or pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the back part of the throat (pharynx).

What is the fastest way to get rid of pharyngitis?

  1. Gargle with salt water—but steer clear of apple cider vinegar. …
  2. Drink extra-cold liquids. …
  3. Suck on an ice pop. …
  4. Fight dry air with a humidifier. …
  5. Skip acidic foods. …
  6. Swallow antacids. …
  7. Sip herbal teas. …
  8. Coat and soothe your throat with honey.
What's the fastest way to get rid of a cold?
  1. Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. …
  2. Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
  3. Soothe a sore throat. …
  4. Combat stuffiness. …
  5. Relieve pain. …
  6. Sip warm liquids. …
  7. Try honey. …
  8. Add moisture to the air.
Article first time published on

What is the rhino flu?

Rhinovirus (rhin means “nose”) infections cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses may also cause some sore throats, ear infections, and infections of the sinuses (openings in the bone near the nose and eyes). They may also cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, but this is less common.

Is rhinovirus worse than RSV?

Although rhinovirus infection is associated with increased risks of acute and chronic respiratory outcomes during childhood compared with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

What is rhino pneumonia?

Rhinovirus (RV) is a major cause of acute respiratory disease in both children and adults. The clinical spectrum of rhinovirus infection can range from asymptomatic to more severe lower respiratory tract illness such as obliterative bronchiolitis and pneumonia [1].

How do you know if you have nasopharyngeal?

A lump in your neck caused by a swollen lymph node. Blood in your saliva. Bloody discharge from your nose. Nasal congestion or ringing in your ears.

How do you test for nasopharynx?

This test uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end to see inside your nasopharynx and look for abnormalities. The camera may be inserted through your nose or through the opening in the back of your throat that leads up into your nasopharynx. Nasal endoscopy may require local anesthesia.

Where is the nasopharynx located?

The upper part of the throat behind the nose. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear.

Why Lipitor is bad for you?

Serious Lipitor side effects include muscle disease called myopathy and muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. The risk of these complications rises when patients take atorvastatin at the same time as certain antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals.

Can Lipitor cause lightheadedness?

After the medication became available to the public, people reported additional side effects such as tiredness, tendon problems, memory loss and confusion. Other reported issues included dizziness, depression, peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis and interstitial lung disease.

What is Lipitor 20mg?

Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as “statins.” It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

What is the new drug for heart failure?

FDA on Tuesday granted Entresto, a combination of sacubitril and valsartan, an indication to treat patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the first time a therapy has been approved for this population.

Why do doctors still prescribe statins?

Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke, although they may lead to side effects for some people. Doctors often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol to lower their total cholesterol and reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke.

What heart medication causes dizziness?

But the doctor may also prescribe these medications for people who have congestive heart failure. Alpha-beta blockers may cause a drop in blood pressure when you stand up suddenly or first get up in the morning. This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.

Does Covid affect your throat?

That’s a question made even more pressing by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sore throat is also a common symptom of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Can sinusitis cause pharyngitis?

Does a sinus infection cause sore throat? Yes, it certainly can. Sinus infections can often lead to complications with post-nasal drip — excess mucus draining down the back of your throat — which in turn can cause a sore throat or cough.

How do you know if you have a bacterial infection in your throat?

  1. Throat pain that usually comes on quickly.
  2. Painful swallowing.
  3. Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.
  4. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
  5. Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck.
  6. Fever.
  7. Headache.
  8. Rash.

Can pharyngitis cause ear pain?

Strep throat is a contagious infection caused by a group of bacteria. Strep throat can cause a very painful sore throat that comes on very quickly. Sometimes, the bacteria from a throat infection can travel into the eustachian tubes and middle ear, causing an ear infection.

Can GERD cause pharyngitis?

Acid reflux can irritate and damage the lining of your esophagus, and this can cause a sore throat. Other common symptoms of heartburn include: A burning sensation in the throat.

What happens if pharyngitis is left untreated?

Left untreated, pharyngitis can, in rare cases, lead to rheumatic fever or sepsis (bacterial blood infection), which are life-threatening conditions.

Does vitamin C help with colds?

Can Vitamin C Prevent or Treat Cold Symptoms? Vitamin C has been studied for many years as a possible treatment for colds, or as a way to help prevent colds. But findings have been inconsistent. Overall, experts have found little to no benefit from vitamin C for preventing or treating the common cold.

What are the 5 stages of cold?

  • Sore throat.
  • Runny nose.
  • Stuffy nose.
  • Coughing.
  • Sneezing.
  • Headaches.
  • Body aches.
  • Post-nasal drip.

How can I get rid of a cold in 24 hours?

While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air.