Acute Pharyngotonsillitis – Pediatric
Acute pharyngotonsillitis is an inflammation of infectious origin affecting the pharynx and the tonsils, which are located on both sides of the throat. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
Symptoms
Fever, sore throat and pain when swallowing. It may be accompanied by muscle aches (myalgia), headache, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, hoarseness, diarrhea, cough, nasal congestion, vomiting, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes (adenopathy).
Whitish plaques may be seen on the tonsils, although they do not always appear. Vesicles may also be observed in the mouth or pharynx.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on clinical findings (diarrhea, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, conjunctivitis, ulcers or vesicles in the mouth suggest a viral cause; sore throat with fever and cold-like symptoms together with the appearance of a scarlet fever–like rash suggest a bacterial cause).
Age is also taken into account (viral causes are more common in children under 3 years old, while bacterial causes are more frequent between 5 and 15 years of age), as well as complementary tests (rapid strep test, throat culture).
Treatment
- Antibiotics for 10 days: In cases of acute bacterial pharyngotonsillitis (Streptococcus).
- Pain relievers and antipyretics (paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen).
- Maintain a regular diet and adequate fluid intake to ensure proper hydration.
Complications
These are rare but may include: rheumatic fever (when caused by Streptococcus), peritonsillar abscess (fever, stiff neck, throat and neck pain), glomerulonephritis, and cervical lymphadenitis.