What is viral pharyngitis?
A person with viral pharyngitis has inflammation and irritation of the throat, caused by a viral infection. Viral pharyngitis usually resolves without treatment in about 7 days.

What are the symptoms of viral pharyngitis?
Common symptoms of viral pharyngitis include a sore throat, throat redness, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. Additional symptoms may include mild difficulty swallowing and mildly swollen lymph glands in the neck.

How does the doctor treat viral pharyngitis?
Treatment for viral pharyngitis includes rest, plenty of liquids, sore throat lozenges, gargling with warm salt water, and acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and fever. Antibiotics are not effective for the treatment of viral pharyngitis.