General practice & prim · UKMLA & AKT
Tonsillitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise tonsillitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Sore throat - sudden onset, odynophagia, fever >38°C
- Tonsillar enlargement - erythematous ± white/yellow exudate (does NOT confirm bacterial aetiology)
- Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy - characteristic of streptococcal infection
- Absence of cough - cough suggests viral URTI, not GABHS
Unilateral painless tonsillar enlargement in an adult = urgent 2-week-wait referral for tonsillar carcinoma. In teenagers with massive tonsillitis + generalised lymphadenopathy + splenomegaly + fatigue, suspect infectious mononucleosis (EBV) - avoid amoxicillin/ampicillin (causes maculopapular rash in up to 90%).
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