Is Pharyngitis contagious?
468289
YES\n\nThe medical term for a "sore throat" is pharyngitis. We owe the word "pharyngitis" to gifts from the Greeks: "pharynx" meaning "the throat" + the suffix"-itis" denoting inflammation. So pharyngitis literally means inflammation of the pharynx. \n\nLike the thigh bone, the pharynx is connected not to the hip bone, but to a remarkable number of other structures including the mouth and nose, the esophagus and larynx, and (via the Eustachian tubes) the ears. That is why sore throats so often involve these other structures. \n\nAnd that's not all. The pharynx has additional neighbors of renown, namely the nubbins of lymphatic tissue in the back of the pharynx called the "tonsils"and the rings of like tissue higher up in the nasal portion of the pharynx called the "adenoids". \n\nInflammation of the pharynx causes it to redden and swell which may make breathing and swallowing more difficult. Another features may be an "exudate" or whitish-yellow covering, especially pronounced on the tonsils. The exudate contains dead cells and bacteria or viruses. \n\nThe most common cause of pharyngitis is infection by a virus, especially one of the viruses that can cause the common cold. A number of viruses including those blamed for influenza ("flu") and infectious mononucleosis ("mono") and a class of viruses called adenoviruses can cause particularly severe inflammation of the pharynx. \n\nThe notorious "strep throat" is due to a bacterial infection of the pharynx. The offending bacteria is the streptococcus. \n\nIt is crucial that the diagnosis of strep throat be made because of the many complications that can ensue, among them rheumatic fever with inflammation of the joints and heart valves, glomerulonephritis with sometimes serious disease of the kidneys, and scarlet fever. \n\nA strep throat can closely mimic a viral sore throat (and vice versa). Throat culture has been the gold standard for telling the difference. The throat culture proves the diagnosis of a strep. New tests have been developed which give quicker results. \n\nTreatment of strep throat with antibiotics may not always significantly shorten the course of the disease. What antibiotics do is to kill the bacteria and cut down the risk of the dreaded complications. \n\nOther bacteria such as the one responsible for diphtheria also cause pharyngitis. So can microorganisms like the yeast Candida. Thus a "simple" sore throat, may not always be so simple! \n\nFor more MedicineNet.com information read the following articles: Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis & Tonsils & Adenoids.
1064415
Strep throat is caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. There are many different strains of strep bacteria, some of which cause more serious illness than others. The type of strep that most commonly infects the throat is called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABS). Other types that can sometimes infect the throat are groups C and G strep bacteria.\nhttp://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw54745\n\nThe group A streptococcus bacterium (Streptococcus pyogenes, or GAS) is a form of Streptococcus bacteria responsible for most cases of streptococcal illness. Other types (B, C, D, and G) may also cause infection. \nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_A_streptococcal_infection\n\nThat's all I could really find, nothing really goes into detail.
230012
Well, I don't know why yawns are contagious because scientists really don't know what cause yawn's in the first place. However, on a lesser level, I believe yawns are contagious because when you see someone yawn, you tend to think of how tired you are. Therefore, you yawn too. And plus it is pretty amusing when you have a yawn fest with someone and just cannot stop yawning back and forth.\nHope this helps!
377560
yes it is contagious, some are mild but many are sever, depending which organ was infected.  \n\nin addition, viarl infection are also contagious.
558756
As far as you should know yawning is contagious. Sorry I couldn't read that five-letter word you tried to put in it.
239646
It's contagious to only those with an empathetic mind. Not everyone has one, so not everyone is going to yawn if someone else does.\n\nDon't listen to that Brisbane Roo character--he's full of it. It's true what he said about periods, but that has nothing to do with yawning.
120313
So far bird flu is not contagious from human to human.  So unless someone brings home a flock of chickens, I don't think you have much to worry about.
138255
http://health.ivillage.com/ent/throat/0,,6715,00.html
791346
No one knows. They have done many studies to see if that's even true and they found out that it is "contagious" but no one knows why.
385832
You can catch if from other people when it's in the contagious stage, but for most of the sickness it isn't contagious. I've had it twice, and it sucks.
91686
She is only contagious while she has active symptoms and she will be a carrier for life and she will also have an active episode about the same time every year.  Do not share anything with her and keep lots of clorox wipes and hand sanitizer in the house.  Use good hand washing all the time.
24625
Yes. \nA person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present, however herpes can be potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes has the potential to always be shedding active virus. \n\nBut keep in mind that everyone is different-- all bodies and immune systems are different, and the longer you're infected, the less common any such outbreaks will occur. The physical ailment is minor compared to the mental anguish brought about by those in the world who "aren't infected," or simply not informed on such matters. Funny how many people in the world who have HSV (or-al canker sores) and think they DON'T have herpes. And yes, even that form of HSV can be spread from a person's mouth to their partner's genitals through or-al contact. \nEver wonder why there are so many Valtrex commercials on TV these days? The increase in infections has skyrocketed since the '70's. I think W caused that, too. ;)
83468
Yes, chicken pox is communicable.  Contagious or "catching," are other terms meaning roughly the same thing.  Colds, flu, all that stuff are communicable, as are measles, mumps, whooping cough; the ones you get vaccinated for as a little kid.
268045
Upper respiratory infections are common infections and include pharyngitis, sinusitis, epiglottitis, laryngotracheitis, and the common cold. Viruses play a significant role in the pathogenesis of many of these infections. Bacteria and other organisms also are responsible.\n\nPharyngitis is an inflammatory process of the pharynx, hypopharynx, uvula, and tonsils that can be caused by viral or bacterial infection and, occasionally, both. Distinguishing between these infections is important because rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis may complicate untreated group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections (GAS), but they usually can be prevented by appropriate antibiotic treatment.\n\nSinusitis is an inflammatory process involving the paranasal sinuses (maxillary, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid). It usually is a bacterial complication of a viral upper respiratory infection.\n\nEpiglottitis is a life-threatening disease observed most frequently in children aged 1-6 years, often during the fall and winter. Although less common, it also can affect adults.\n\nLaryngotracheitis usually is the result of viral infection. The subglottic area and trachea are involved, whereas the area above the true vocal cords is spared. When children younger than 5 years have the infection, it is called croup.\n\nThe common cold is a mild, self-limited, catarrhal syndrome caused, for the most part, by members of 5 families of viruses. A small proportion of colds are complicated by bacterial infections of the paranasal sinuses and the middle ear, which require antimicrobial therapy.
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Contagious in the normal sense - no.  If, however, someone else touches the part that still has the sap on it then it can get passed on.  This is a contact type of problem - no contact, no problem.
138091
Under normal conditions it doesn't. What can happen is tiny droplets of saliva might be ejected. If you are sick with specific kind of bacterialor viral infection then that saliva might infect someone else. But if you are a healthy person it shouldn't be a problem.
548581
You could have an infection in the tube between your ear and throat.  I had exactly the same symptoms and was eating cough drops like crazy to soothe my throat.  I was at the doc's office for something else and mentioned it.  She looked in my ears, nose, throat and at the swollen node.  She swabbed my throat but it came back negative for strep.  But, she said my eardrum had some liquid behind it and thought it was an Eustachian tube infection.  Sometimes if you have post nasal drip from allergies you'll get a sore throat, but not the swollen gland behind the ear. She put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics and it all went away.