Respiratory · UKMLA & AKT
Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Most common bacterial cause: *Streptococcus pyogenes* (Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus, GABHS) - ~30% of cases; most prevalent in ages 5-15
- Viral causes account for ~70-80% of cases (rhinovirus, adenovirus, EBV)
- Diphtheria - *Corynebacterium diphtheriae*; consider after travel to Eastern Europe/endemic areas
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