What is the most common cause of acute pharyngitis in children?

Acute pharyngitis in children is most commonly caused by respiratory viruses, including adenovirus. This is primarily due to the fact that viral infections are more prevalent in pediatric patients due to their immature immune systems and higher exposure in communal environments like schools and daycare centers.

Respiratory viruses can lead to inflammation of the pharyngeal tissues, resulting in the classic symptoms associated with pharyngitis, such as sore throat, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Adenovirus, in particular, is known for causing a variety of respiratory illnesses and is a significant contributor to sore throats in children.

While other pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep) can also cause pharyngitis, their frequency is lower compared to viral causes. Bacterial infections like Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are less common as well. This highlights the predominance of viral infections in the etiology of acute pharyngitis in the pediatric population.