-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
eyes/ears/nose/throat
tonsillitis
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition: An acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils.

etiology: The most common organism involved is Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, although, other bacteria and viruses are often implicated (e.g. Hemophilus influenza, Hemophilus parainfluenza, and adenoviruses).

signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms:
• Pain on swallowing, often traveling up to the ear.
• Sore throat in general.
• Headache.
• Malaise.
• Vomiting.
• Anorexia.
• Tonsils are swollen (may meet in the middle of the pharynx) and reddened.
• Exudate on the tonsils/in the crypts, and/or around the whole oropharyngeal area.
• Membrane: thin and white and only on the tonsils, peels away easily without bleeding.
• Fever.
• HEENT lymphadenopathy.

lab findings:
• Increased WBCs with shift to left
• Culture may identify the involved bacterial organism.
• possibly (+) rapid strep test

course and prognosis

The condition should be promptly treated to avoid complications (e.g. peritonsillar abscess).

The condition usually resolves easily with conventional or alternative medicine; however, in conventional medicine, repeated bouts of tonsillitis usually result in tonsillectomy.

differential diagnosis

• Pharyngitis
• Infectious mononucleosis.
• Vincent's angina.
• Diphtheria.
• Peritonsillar abscess


footnotes