Upper respiratory tract disease - Tonsilitis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Inflammation of the tonsils

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Most commonly the result of a viral or bacterial infection

Most common viral causes are usually those that cause the common cold, including rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and coronavirus

Bacterial infections are typically due to group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS), but Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenza have also been cultured

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Winter/ early spring seasons (can occur at any time)

Close contact with infected person

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Age - Children around 5-15 are more prone to infection

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Fever/ headache
Tonsillar exudates
Sore throat/ painful swallowing
Tender anterior cervical chain lymphadenopathy
Odynophagia and dysphagia secondary to tonsillar swelling

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

Most cases are self-limiting infections in healthy patient populations who improve and have minimal sequela (implications)

Question 7

DDX

Answer 7

Pharyngitis
Retropharyngeal abscess
Epiglottitis
Ludwig angina