What are the symptoms of pharyngitis?
The incubation period is typically two to five days. Symptoms that accompany pharyngitis vary depending on the underlying condition.
In addition to a sore, dry, or scratchy throat, a cold or flu may cause:
sneezing
runny nose
headache
cough
fatigue
body aches
chills
fever (a low-grade fever with a cold and higher-grade fever with the flu)
In addition to a sore throat, the symptoms of mononucleosis include:
swollen lymph nodes
severe fatigue
fever
muscle aches
general malaise
loss of appetite
rash
Strep throat, another type of pharyngitis, can also cause:
difficulty in swallowing
red throat with white or gray patches
swollen lymph nodes
fever
chills
loss of appetite
nausea
unusual taste in the mouth
general malaise
The length of the contagious period will also depend on your underlying condition. If you have a viral infection, you will be contagious until your fever runs its course. If you have strep throat, you may be contagious from the onset until you’ve spent 24 hours on antibiotics.
The common cold usually lasts less than 10 days. Symptoms, including fever, may peak around three to five days. If pharyngitis is associated with a cold virus, you can expect your symptoms to last this duration of time.
