Tonsillitis

Question 1

Define tonsillitis.

Answer 1

Acute tonsillitis is an acute infection of the parenchyma of the palatine tonsils.

Question 2

Explain the aetiology/risk factors of tonsillitis.

Answer 2

Age between 5 and 15 years

Contact with infected people in enclosed spaces

Question 3

Summarise the epidemiology of tonsillitis.

Answer 3

In UK general practice, recurrent sore throat has an annual incidence of 100 in 1000 population. In the US, sore throat accounts for 1% of ambulatory visits. Acute tonsillitis is more common in children between the ages of 5-15 years.

Question 4

Recognise the presenting symptoms of tonsillitis. Recognise the signs of tonsillitis on physical examination.

Answer 4

Pain on swallowing
Fever (>38°C)
Tonsillar exudate
Sudden onset of sore throat
Headache
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Presence of cough or runny nose
Tonsillar erythema
Tonsillar enlargement
Enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes

Question 5

Identify appropriate investigations for tonsillitis and interpret the results.

Answer 5

Throat culture

Rapid streptococcal antigen test