Tonsillitis

Question 1

1st and 2nd most common causative organisms for tonsillitis?

Viral causes of tonsilitis?

Answer 1

1. Streptococcus pyogenes
2. Streptococcus pneumoniae

EBV, rhinovirus, influenza

Question 2

Which tonsils are usually affected in tonsillitis?

Answer 2

Palatine tonsils

Question 3

What is the Centor Criteria?

Answer 3

Used to diagnose patients with Group A streptococcal pharyngitis and therefore whether they need antibiotic treatment

Score 3-4 -> give abx

Question 4

Management of tonsilitis?

Answer 4

Analgesia
Phenoxymethylpenicillin/clairithromycin
Referral to ENT if:
7+ episodes in one year
5+ episodes per year for two years
3+ episodes per year for three years

Question 5

Complications of tonsilitis?

Answer 5

Scarlet fever
Acute rheumatic fever
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Reactive arthritis
Quinsy
Otitis media