Tonsilitis Flashcards
Define tonsilitis
Acute infection of parenchyma of palatine tonsils. May occur in isolation or as part of generalised pharyngitis.
outline the epidemiology of tonsilitis?
VERY COMMON – more common in children (5-15 years old)
outline the aetiology of tonsilitis?
Viral- MUCH MORE COMMON
- Most common: rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus
- Associated with IM infection
Bacterial
- Group A streptococci
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae,
- Neisseria gonorrhoea
What are the investigations for tonsilitis?
- Rapid streptococcal antigen test
- Throat culture
what are the signs and symptoms of tonsilitis?
- Pain on swallowing
- Fever >38
- Tonsillar exudate
- Sudden onset sore throat
- Tonsillar erythema and enlargement
- Anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
outline the centor criteria?
o Tonsillar exudate
o Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis
o History of fever over 38
o Absence of cough
2 or less -> No further investigations
3 or more -> Rapid streptococcal antigen test
outline the feverPAIN score?
- FeverPAIN: score of 4-5 suggests group A strep
o Fever (>38) during previous 24h
o Purulence (pharyngeal, tonsillar exudate)
o Attend rapidly (3 days or less after symptom onset)
o Severely inflamed tonsils
o No cough or coryza
o (lymphadenopathy)
