All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Causes of angina and acute pharyngitis in children
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Age differences in the etiology of angina and acute pharyngitis. In the first 4-5 years of life, acute tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis and pharyngitis are mainly viral in nature and are caused most often by adenoviruses, in addition, the viruses of herpes simplex and enteroviruses Coxsackie can cause acute tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis and acute pharyngitis.
Since the age of 5, the B-hemolytic streptococcus of group A (S. Pyogenes), which becomes the leading cause of acute tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis (up to 75% of cases) at the age of 5-18 years acquires great importance in the onset of acute tonsillitis . Along with this, the causes of acute tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis and pharyngitis can be streptococci of group C and G, M. Pneumoniae, Ch. Pneumoniae and Ch. Psittaci, influenza viruses. Significantly less often, Staphylococci, fungi of the genus Candida and other microorganisms act as pathogens. Anaerobes (necrotic angina of Simanovsky-Plaut-Vincent) in children are fairly rare.
Tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis and pharyngitis, in addition, may be one of the manifestations of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, tularemia, infectious mononucleosis, typhoid fever, HIV infection (so-called secondary tonsillitis / tonsillopharyngitis).
[Pathogenesis of angina and acute pharyngitis in children
Acute tonsillitis, tonsillopharyngitis and pharyngitis are characterized by a pronounced inflammatory response from the mucous membranes and lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and elements of the lymphoid tissue of the posterior pharyngeal wall. Often they are accompanied by the appearance of raids on the tonsils and the back wall of the pharynx.