Acute Tonsillitis

Symptoms:

. Sudden onset of sore throat

. Pain on swallowing

. Fever (>38°C [>100.5°F])

. Tonsillar exudate

. Headache

. Earache (referred pain)

. Reddened, swollen tonsils with or without pus

Risk Factors:

1. Age between 5 and 15 years

2. Contact with infected individuals in crowded places (e.g., schools, child care centers)

Diagnosis:

i. Rapid Streptococcal Antigen Test: To identify bacterial cause

ii. CBC: To assess for infection

iii. Throat Culture: To confirm bacterial etiology

Management:

Symptomatic Treatment:

i. Hydration

ii. Analgesia (pain relief)

Antibiotics:

. Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V): For bacterial tonsillitis

Surgical Consideration:

Tonsillectomy for recurrent episodes or complications

Centor Criteria:

Used to differentiate between viral and bacterial tonsillitis:

. Tonsillar exudate

. Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy

. Fever

. Absence of cough