White Blood Cell Count

The cells that circulate in the bloodstream are generally divided into three types: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). Abnormally high or low counts may indicate the presence of many forms of disease, and hence blood counts are amongst the most commonly performed blood tests in medicine, as they can provide an overview of a patient’s general health status. A CBC is routinely performed during annual physical examinations in some jurisdictions.

Strep Throat (Streptococcal pharyngitis)

Streptococcal pharyngitis or streptococcal sore throat (known colloquially as strep throat in American English) is a form of group A streptococcal infection that affects the pharynx and possibly the larynx and tonsils. It is a very contagious infection, spread by close contact with an infected individual, which can lead to various other complications if not swiftly treated. Antibiotics can help reduce contagiousness.

Sore Throat (Acute pharyngitis)

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx. In most cases it is painful and the initial infection can extend for a lengthy time period. It is the most common cause of a sore throat.

Like many types of inflammation, pharyngitis can be acute – characterized by a rapid onset and typically a relatively short course – or chronic. Pharyngitis can result in very large tonsils which cause trouble swallowing and breathing. Pharyngitis can be accompanied by a cough or fever, for example, if caused by an upper respiratory tract infection

Mononucleosis

The classical symptoms of mononucleosis are a sore throat, fever, fatigue, weight loss, malaise, pharyngeal inflammation, petechiae and loss of appetite. Common signs include lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), hepatitis (refers to inflammation of hepatocytes – cells in the liver) and hemolysis (the bursting of red blood cells). Older adults are less likely to have a sore throat or lymphadenopathy, but are instead more likely to present with hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver) and jaundice. Rarer signs and symptoms include thrombocytopenia (lower levels of platelets), with or without pancytopenia (lower levels of all types of blood cells), splenic rupture, splenic hemorrhage, upper airway obstruction, pericarditis and pneumonitis. Another rare manifestation of mononucleosis is erythema multiforme.