Tonsillitis
Description
Inflammation of the tonsils
May be acute or chronic
Typical viral infection: mild and of limited duration
Commonly affects children between ages 5 and 10
Pathophysiology
Inflammatory response to cell damage by viruses or bacteria results in hyperemia and fluid exudation.
Causes
Bacterial infection (group A beta-hemolytic streptococci)
Tonsils tending to hypertrophy during childhood and atrophy after puberty
Viral infection
Assessment findings
Mild to severe sore throat
Young child possibly stops eating
Muscle and joint pain
Chills
Malaise
Headache
Pain, commonly referred to the ears
Constant urge to swallow
Constricted feeling in the back of the throat
Fever
Swollen, tender submandibular lymph nodes
Generalized inflammation of pharyngeal wall
Swollen tonsils projecting from between the pillars of the fauces and exuding white or yellow follicles
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