Is penicillin effective for acute pharyngitis?
Aug 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
In general, if acute pharyngitis is caused by bacterial infections such as streptococcus, and symptoms such as severe sore throat, fever, and purulent secretions in the throat appear, the use of penicillin can inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction, reduce pharyngeal inflammation, thereby helping to relieve discomfort and promote recovery. However, it is ineffective against acute pharyngitis caused by viral infections.
Generally, penicillin may be effective for acute pharyngitis caused by bacterial infections, but it is ineffective for acute pharyngitis caused by viral infections. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If acute pharyngitis is triggered by bacterial infection, such as streptococcus, and symptoms such as severe sore throat, fever, and purulent secretions in the throat appear, penicillin can inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction, alleviate throat inflammation, and thereby help relieve discomfort and promote recovery.
If acute pharyngitis is caused by a viral infection—for example, common influenza virus or adenovirus—penicillin has no inhibitory effect on the virus and cannot improve symptoms. In such cases, using penicillin will not provide therapeutic benefits and may increase the likelihood of adverse reactions.
It is essential to determine the type of infection before using penicillin; medication should not be taken blindly. Before taking the drug, ensure there is no history of allergies. If any discomfort such as rash or difficulty breathing occurs during medication, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention to avoid adverse consequences.
