Tonsilitis

Question 1

Define Tonsilitis

Answer 1

Acute infection of the tonsils-not too distinct pharyngatis

bacterial or viral-more common viral

Question 2

Aetiology and Risk factors of Tonsilitis

Answer 2

usually viral-but can occasionally be bacterial (B-heam, strep)-10%
CENTOR score will tell you how likely it is to be bacterial
bacterial more common in children

Risk factors
Young (5-15)
Contact with infected people before

Question 3

Epidiemology of Tonsilitis

Answer 3

100 in 1000-1% of abulatory visits

bacterial more common in children

Question 4

Signs and Sx of Tonsilitis

Answer 4

Pain of swallowing
Sudden onset of fever
headache
Tonsilar erythema/enlargement
enlarged lymph nodes

bacterial-higher fevers, Tonsilar exudate, cough

Question 5

Investigations of Tonsilitis

Answer 5

In GP-not necessary
throat culture
Rapid strep AG test
FBC etc

treat with penicillin V (clarythromycin for allergy),
Care, looks similar to glandular fever (classically, if give penicillin to glandular fever= macropapular rash)