What is the most common cause of tonsillitis?
Viral infection - do not require or respond to antibiotics.
What are the most common bacterial causes of tonsillitis?
Peak ages for tonsillitis.
5 to 10
15 and 20
Presentation of tonsillitis.
What is the Centor criteria?
Estimates the probability that tonsillitis is due to bacterial infection, and will therefore benefit from abx.
CENTOR ≥3:
- fever > 38°C
- tonsillar exudates
- absence of cough
- tender lymphadenopathy
Tonsillitis differentials.
Management of viral tonsillitis.
Management of bacterial tonsillitis.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 10/7
Tastes bad so young children are reluctant to take it.
Clarithromycin recommended in true penicillin allergy.
Complications of tonsillitis.
What is a peritonsillar abscess?
Bacterial infection with trapped pus, forming an abscess in the region of the tonsills.
Presentation of peritonsillar abscess.
Symptoms of tonsillitis plus:
- trismus (unable to open mouth)
- change in voice due to pharyngeal swelling
- drooling
Cause of peritonsillar abscess.
Bacterial infection:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Haemophilus influenzae
Management of quinsy.
Refer to ENT for incision and drainage under general anaesthetic.
IV antibiotics should be given.
When is tonsillectomy recommended?
≥ 7 episodes in 1 year.
≥ 5 episodes per year for 2 years.
≥3 episodes per year for 3 years.
Complications of tonsillectomy.
What is post tonsillectomy bleeding?
Significant bleeding that occurs within 2 weeks of the operation, which may result in life-threatening aspiration of blood.
Management of post tonsillectomy bleeding.
Aetiology of otitis media.
Most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Other causes include:
- haemophilus influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Staphylococcus aureus
Presentation of otitis media.
Examination findings of otitis media.
Tympanic membrane:
- bulging
- red
- inflamed
Where there is perforation, you may see discharge.
Management of otitis media.
Most cases will resolve without antibiotics within 3 days - simple analgesia for pain and fever.
Antibiotic prescription for otitis media.
Immediate antibiotics - significant comorbidities, systemically unwell or immunocompromised.
Delayed prescription - collect after 3 days, useful for patients keen on antibiotics.
Complications of otitis media.
Pathophysiology of otitis media with effusion (OME).
Blockage of the eustachian tube causes middle ear secretions to accumulate in the middle ear space.