Case history
Case history
A 6-year-old previously healthy boy presents with acute onset of fever of 102°F (39°C), severe throat pain that is exacerbated by swallowing, headache, and malaise. On examination his tonsils are symmetrically enlarged and red, with purulent exudate. He has multiple enlarged, painful anterior neck lymph nodes, but no other lymphadenopathy and no splenomegaly. He has no runny nose or cough, and no difficulty breathing.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Tonsillitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcusFrom the collection of Dr Eleftherios Margaritis [Citation ends].
Other presentations
Tonsillitis may occur in isolation or as part of a generalized pharyngitis. The clinical distinction between tonsillitis and pharyngitis is unclear in the literature, and the condition is often referred to simply as "acute sore throat." Its severity may vary from a mild sore throat that responds well to simple analgesics to a severe sore throat that is associated with significant malaise and reduced oral intake, necessitating admission to the hospital.
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