Throat Infections Flashcards
majority of cases of tonsillitis are
a) viral
b) bacterial
majority are viral
- will resolve without abx
what organism is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis
streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep)
morphology of strep.pyogenes
gram +ve cocci in chains
- causes beta-haemolysis on blood agar
what score is used to assess likelihood of bacterial tonsillitis
feverPAIN (1 point each)
- fever > 38 degrees
- purulence (tonsillar exudate)
- attends rapidly (<3 days)
- inflamed tonsils
- no cough
symptoms of tonsillitis
sore throat
lymphadenopathy
fever
odynophagia, hallitosis – bacterial
antibiotic tx of streptococcal tonsillitis
penicillin V for 10 days
- clarithromycin if allergic
what is a quinsy
a peritonsillar abscess
- complication of bacterial tonsillitis
presentation of a quinsy
unilateral throat pain
uvula deviated to unaffected side
trismus - difficulty opening jaw
management of a quinsy
incision + drainage
iv antibiotics
what causes infectious mononucleosis
EBV
triad of symptoms in infectious mononucleosis
sore throat, pyrexia, lymphadenopathy
other features of infectious mononucleosis
splenomegaly
palatal petechiae
atypical lymphocytes
maculopapular rash if amoxicillin is taken
how is diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis made
monospot test
symptoms of diphtheria
sore throat
grey membrane across pharynx
‘bulls neck’ appearance due to lymphadenopathy
what organism most commonly causes epiglottitis
H.Influenzae
