Tonsillitis Flashcards
What is tonsillitis?
Inflammation of the tonsils
What is the most common type of infection that causes tonsillitis?
Viral infection
What is the most common bacterial cause of tonsillitis?
Group A streptococcus- Streptococcus pyogenes
Which age groups of children are most affected by tonsillitis?
5-10 year olds
15-20 year olds
What is the typical presentation of tonsillitis?
Fever
Sore throat
Painful swallowing.
What can be seen on examination of someone with tonsillitis?
Red, inflamed and enlarged tonsils, with or without exudates.
What are exudates?
White patches on the tonsils
What is the used to estimate the probability that tonsillitis is due to a bacteria infection and how beneficial antibiotics would be?
Centor criteria
What is the centor criteria?
- Fever over 38ºC
- Tonsillar exudates
- Absence of cough
- Tender anterior cervical lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
What score on the centor criteria would indicate prescribing antibiotics?
more than 3
When should you consider hospital admission for tonsillitis?
Immunocompromised Systemically unwell Dehydrated Stridor Respiratory distress Evidence of a peritonsillar abscess or cellulitis.
What is the antibiotic of choice for tonsillitis?
Penicillin V (also called phenoxymethylpenicillin)
What is the alternative for a penicillin allergy?
Clarithromycin
What are the possible complications of tonsillitis?
otitis media
quinsy - peritonsillar abscess
rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis very rarely
What is the definitive management of tonsillitis?
Tonsillectomy
