TABLE 74.1 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SORE THROAT IN THE IMMUNOCOMPETENT HOST Infectious pharyngitis Respiratory viruses Group A streptococci Epstein–Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis) Human immunodeficiency virus Neisseria gonorrhoeae Anaerobic bacteria Group C and G streptococci Arcanobacterium haemolyticum Mycoplasma pneumoniae (unconfirmed) Chlamydia pneumoniae (unconfirmed) Francisella tularensis Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria) Other causes Herpetic stomatitis Irritative pharyngitis Foreign body Peritonsillar abscess Retropharyngeal and lateral pharyngeal abscesses Epiglottitis Kawasaki disease Stevens–Johnson syndrome Chemical exposure Psychogenic pain Referred pain Retropharyngeal and Lateral Pharyngeal Abscesses Retropharyngeal abscess is an uncommon cause of sore throat, usually occurring in children younger than to years Although most children with this disorder often appear toxic and have neck pain and occasionally respiratory distress, a few complain of sore throat and dysphagia without other manifestations early in the course Some infants and young children may also manifest torticollis A young