Tonsillitis Flashcards
1
Q
What is tonsillitis?
A
A type of pharyngitis with intense inflammation of tonsils and purulent exudate
2
Q
Which pathogens cause tonsillitis?
A
- Group A beta hemolytic streptococci/ Strep pyogenes
2. Epstein barr virus (infectious mononucleosis)
3
Q
Symptoms of bacterial tonsillitis
A
- White tonsillar exudate
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Head ache/abdo pain
4
Q
Tx
A
Penicillin/Erythromycin for 10 days even if it may not be bacterial cause
5
Q
What is a risk of strep infection?
A
Rheumatic fever
6
Q
Why should amoxicillin be avoided?
A
Causes widespread macularpapular rash if tonsillitis is due to infectious mononucleisosis
7
Q
What is the centaur criteria
A
The Centor criteria* are as follows: presence of tonsillar exudate tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis history of fever absence of cough
8
Q
When should antibiotics be used for treatment?
A
If Centor criteria shows > 3 or more as its likely to be due to strep A beta hemolytic strep
