Journal of Thyroid Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Acute Infectious Thyroiditis

Acute infectious thyroiditis is a rare thyroid gland infection. This type of infection is painful, associated with a fever, and progresses rapidly. It can affect children and adults, but it is more common among children. If you or your child develops acute infectious thyroiditis, it can worsen and produce an abscess if left untreated. This infection is treated with antibiotics or a procedure that drains the fluid and pus.

Acute infections, by definition, are the type of infections that cause unpleasant symptoms within a short period of time. If you or your child develop acute infectious thyroiditis, you can expect the effects to rapidly worsen.

Infectious thyroiditis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Most often, the culprit is a Gram positive bacterium such as S. aureus or Streptococci. Gram negative organisms involving the oropharynx can also be to blame. Less commonly, acute infectious thyroiditis can be caused by mycobacteria or fungi, almost always in immune compromised individuals.