Sore Throat Flashcards
What is acute tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils
What does acute tonsillitis frequently occur with
Pharyngitis
What is pharyngitis
Inflammation of the oropharynx
What is the most common cause of tonsillitis and pharyngitis
Viruses
Rhinovirus, influenza, enterovirus etc.
What is the most common bacterial cause of tonsillitis and pharyngitis
Strep pyogenes
Name some other bacterial causes of tonsillitis and pharyngitis
H. Influenza
S. Aureus
Strep pneumo
Name some non-infectious causes of pharyngitis
GORD, chronic irritation from cigarette smoke
Clinical presentation of viral tonsillitis
Malaise, sore throat, temp, able to do normal activity, possibly lymphadenopathy
How long does viral tonsillitis usually last
3-4 days
Clinical presentation of bacterial tonsillitis
Systemic upset, fever, painful swallowing, halitosis, unable to work, lymphadenopathy
What is halitosis
Bad breath
How long does bacterial tonsillitis last
1 week, requires antibiotics to settle
Main scoring system to decide if a patient with tonsillitis needs antibiotics
FeverPAIN
What does FeverPAIN stand for
Fever
Purulence
Attend rapidly (within 3 days)
Inflamed tonsils
No cough
What is the antibiotic prescribed for tonsillitis
Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Antibiotic prescribed for tonsillitis if allergic to penicillin
Clarithromycin
When do you prescribe antibiotics using FeverPAIN
4/5 points
2/3 consider delayed presentation for antibiotics
When to admit or refer a patient with tonsillitis
Difficulty breathing
Neck mass
Persistent symptoms >3 weeks
How is tonsillitis managed in hospital
IV fluids, antibiotics and steroids
Infection control for group A strep infections
Isolate for the first 48 hours of treatment
When is tonsillectomy indicated for adults
Recurrent severe sore throat
Most common complication of tonsillitis
Otitis media
Name some other complications of tonsillitis
Quinsy, parapharyngeal abscess, lemierre syndrome
What is lemierre syndrome
Suppurative thrombophlebitis of jugular vein
Name some late complications of a strep A infection
Rheumatic fever
Glomerulonephritis
ENT symptom of neutropenia
Sore throat
What is diphtheria
Bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat
What causes diphtheria
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Why does corynebacterium diphtheriae cause you to be ill
Produces a potent exotoxin which is cardiotoxic and neurotoxic
Characteristic symptom of diphtheria
Pseudomembrane across the pharynx
Other symptoms of diphtheria
Malaise, cervical lymphadenopathy, low grade fever
When do symptoms of diphtheria start following infection
2-5 days