Sore Throat Flashcards
Sore Throat Causes
Viruses Laryngitis Tonsillitis Strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) Glandular fever Pharyngitis Influenza
Tonsillitis
Symptoms?
Management?
Sore throat, headache, N+V, abdominal pain
Self-limiting, analgesics, delayed antibiotic prescription to be used if unresolved in 3-5 days. In recurrent infections, tonsillectomy may be performed.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
What is it?
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.
Quinsy What is it? Symptoms? Complications? Treatment?
Peritonsillar abscess
Quinsy is a complication of tonsillitis. It is a collection of pus that develops between the back of one of your tonsils and the wall of your throat. This is known as an abscess. An abscess can develop when an infection spreads from a swollen tonsil to the surrounding area.
Symptoms include fever, throat pain, trouble opening the mouth, and a change to the voice. Pain is usually worse on one side Complications may include blockage of the airway or aspiration pneumonitis.
Medical treatment with antibiotics, volume repletion with fluids, and pain medication is usually adequate, although in cases where airway obstruction or systemic sepsis occurs, surgical drainage may be necessary. Steroids may also be useful. Admission to hospital is generally not needed.
Antibiotics- usually pencillin resistant so can use tazocin.
Surgery - needle aspiration, incision and drainage, tonsillectomy.
Glandular Fever Cause? Symptoms? Investigations? Management?
EBV
Sore throat, fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, nausea, cough, anorexia
FBC- lymphocytosis. Check viral serology
Avoid contact sports as risk of splenic rupture. Avoid alcohol.
Analgesia.
Self-limiting 2-4 weeks. The virus can reactivate, especially if immunocompromised.
