(GP) (Infection)

Overview

• Inflammation of the tonsils, specifically it is an infection of the parenchyma of the palatine tonsils
• Acute Tonsillitis is more common in children between 5-15 yrs old
  • Viral Tonsillitis → most commonly caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus and adenovirus infections. In tonsillitis associated with infectious mononucleosis, the most common causative agent is EBV.
  • Bacterial Tonsillitis → most common causative agent is Streptococcus pyogenes
• Infectious condition and can be spread by exposure to an infected person (hence predominantly a disease of school children).

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Pharyngitis → sore throat
• Fever >38°C and Malaise
• Purulent Tonsillar Exudate → yellow or white pustules may be present
• Pain on Swallowing
• Tonsillar enlargement + erythema
• Enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes (Lymphadenopathy)

Investigations:

• Throat Culture → standard test for definitive diagnosis of bacterial tonsillitis, however the delay in results (>48hrs) limits its usefulness as a first test