NORD Summit 2026 Banner Ad

Lemierre syndrome

Download report (PDF)

The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.


Disease Overview

Lemierre syndrome is a rare, potentially lethal, oropharyngeal infectious disease occurring in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults that is mainly due to Fusobacterium necrophorum and that is characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein that leads to septic, usually pulmonary, embolism, associated with ENT (ear, nose, and throat) infection that manifests with fever, neck pain, and tonsillopharyngitis.


Synonyms

  • Lemierre postanginal sepsis
  • Lemierre syndrome
  • Lemierre's syndrome
  • acute sore throat
  • human necrobacillosis
  • necrobacillosis
  • oropharyngeal infection leading to secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein
  • postanginal sepsis
  • postanginal sepsis secondary to orophyngeal infection
  • septic phlebitis of the internal jugular vein

GARD Disease Summary

The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

View report
Orphanet

Orphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.

View report

Access State Report Card Data

Please complete this form to access the requested resource.

Please consider sharing some basic information with us.

Name(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form