Tonsillitis

Question 1

What is tonsillitis?

Answer 1

An acute inflammation of the parenchyma of the palatine tonsils. Difficult to distinguish from viral pharyngitis (sore throat)

Question 2

What causes tonsillitis?

Answer 2

Usually viral. Only 10-30% bacterial.
Top 3 viruses: rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus.
If infectious mononucleosis: EBV.

Question 3

What patient demographic is most commonly affected by tonsillitis?

Answer 3

In children aged 5-15 commonly in winter/early spring

Question 4

How does tonsillitis present?

Answer 4

Mild pain on swallowing, fever, tonsillar exudate, sudden onset sore throat, headache, abdo pain, N+V

Question 5

What investigations could you do for tonsillitis?

Answer 5

Throat culture, rapid streptococcal antigen test

Question 6

Briefly summarise the management of tonsillitis?

Answer 6

Analgesic +/- antibiotic (usually penicillin) +/- corticosteroid
if recurrent: tonsillectomy w/ antibiotic