acute pharyngitis epidemiology forecast

Acute pharyngitis refers to the inflammation of the pharynx, the section of the throat behind the mouth and nasal passages. It is most often triggered by viral or bacterial infections, such as those caused by influenza viruses or Streptococcus bacteria.Common symptoms include sore throat, painful swallowing, throat redness or swelling, and enlarged tonsils. Additional signs may involve fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and general body aches.Although typically mild and self-limiting, acute pharyngitis can sometimes lead to complications like peritonsillar abscess, sinusitis, middle ear infections (otitis media), and in rare cases, more serious outcomes such as rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

 

DelveInsight’s “Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of acute Pharyngitis, historical and forecasted epidemiology of acute pharyngitis in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

 

Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Understanding

Acute Pharyngitis Overview

Acute pharyngitis is the sudden inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx, most frequently caused by viral infections, which typically resolve without antibiotics. However, a notable proportion of bacterial cases—primarily due to Group A Streptococcus (GAS)—require prompt identification and treatment to prevent complications.

In acute pharyngitis, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) is the most frequently identified bacterial cause, accounting for 5% to 36% of cases. In addition to infectious origins, the condition can also be triggered by non-infectious factors such as environmental allergens and chemical irritants.

 

Acute Pharyngitis Diagnosis

Diagnosing acute pharyngitis can be challenging due to the overlapping symptoms and the need to differentiate between viral and bacterial causes. The gold standard for diagnosis is a throat swab followed by laboratory testing to identify the causative agent. However, this process can be time-consuming, and rapid diagnostic tests may be used as an initial screening tool. Clinicians carefully evaluate symptoms, patient history, and clinical findings to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment approach.

Further details related to diagnosis are provided in the report…

 

Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Insights

For the purpose of designing the patient-based model for acute pharyngitis, the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by incident cases of acute pharyngitis, etiology-specific incident cases of acute pharyngitis, age-specific incident cases of acute pharyngitis and total treated cases of acute pharyngitis in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan, from 2020 to 2034.

• As per article by Harberger S. et al (2025), viral infections are responsible for approximately 70% to 90% of acute pharyngitis cases, with rhinovirus—commonly associated with the common cold—being the leading cause. In developed nations, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) accounts for 5% to 15% of cases, particularly among school-aged children. Group C and G streptococci contribute to 5% to 10% of cases, while Arcanobacterium haemolyticum is implicated in about 1% to 2.5% of instances.
• As per secondary research, acute pharyngitis is more common in children and adults.
• As per the Pellegrino R et al (2023), acute pharyngitis accounts for approximately 2–5% of pediatric outpatient consultations and remains one of the primary drivers of antibiotic use in children.

 

KOL Views

To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease prevalence.

DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Stony Brook University Hospital, US, University of Cologne, Germany, Chu Brest - Hospital Morvan, France, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Spain, University of Edinburgh, UK, Juntendo University, Japan, and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.

As per the KOLs from the US, Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) offer high specificity for detecting Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, though their sensitivity can range from 70% to 90%. A positive result warrants immediate treatment, while a negative result—especially in children—should be followed by a throat culture to confirm diagnosis and guide management.

 

As per the KOLs from Spain, One of the key challenges acute pharyngitis presents to primary care physicians is identifying the likely underlying cause to guide appropriate treatment. Antibiotics are often overprescribed, despite most cases being viral in origin. This overuse can lead to adverse effects for patients, promote antibiotic resistance, and contribute to rising healthcare costs.

As per the KOLs from Spain, Tonsillar exudate culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing acute pharyngitis, offering high sensitivity (90–95%) and specificity (>95%). However, its primary drawback is the time required to obtain results, limiting its practicality for routine use. To address this, rapid, cost-effective immunological tests have been developed to detect streptococcal antigens within minutes. While these tests typically demonstrate high specificity (>95%), their sensitivity averages around 80%, ranging from 60% to 98%, depending on the brand used and the clinical presentation of the patient..

 

Scope of the Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of acute pharyngitis, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
• The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

 

Acute Pharyngitis Report Insights

• Acute Pharyngitis Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Incident Cases of Acute Pharyngitis
• Etiology-specific Incident Cases of Acute Pharyngitis
• Age-specific Incident Cases of Acute Pharyngitis
• Total treated Cases of Acute Pharyngitis

 

Acute Pharyngitis Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage
• Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Segmentation

 

Acute Pharyngitis Report Assessment

• Current Diagnostic Practices Patient Segmentation

 

Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burdens, and unmet needs of acute pharyngitis? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population of acute pharyngitis?
• What is the historical and forecasted acute pharyngitis patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• Why is the diagnosed prevalent cases of acute pharyngitis in Japan lower than the US?
• Which country has a high patient share for acute pharyngitis?

 

Reasons to Buy Acute Pharyngitis Epidemiology Forecast Report

• Insights on patient burden/disease, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the acute pharyngitis prevalent cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of by incident cases of acute pharyngitis, etiology-specific incident cases of acute pharyngitis, age-specific incident cases of acute pharyngitis, and treated cases of acute pharyngitis.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.           What is the forecast period covered in the report?

The acute pharyngitis epidemiology report for the 7MM covers the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, providing a projection of epidemiology dynamics and trends during this timeframe.

2.           How is epidemiological data collected and analyzed for forecasting purposes?

Epidemiological data is collected through surveys, clinical studies, health records, and other sources. It is then analyzed to calculate disease rates, identify trends, and project future disease burdens using mathematical models.