ENT: Tonsillitis: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Tonsillitis: High-Yield ENT RevisionWhy do some sore throats linger, cause misery, and sometimes lead to serious complications? This rapid-fire episode covers tonsillitis essentials for the MSRA – definition, causes, key symptoms, red flags, and management. All direct from UK NICE/CKS notes!🧠 Key Learning PointsDefinition• Tonsillitis = Inflammation of the tonsils (lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat), usually due to infection• Not all sore throats are tonsillitis! Distinguish from pharyngitis (throat), laryngitis (voice box)Causes• Viral (rhinovirus, influenza, Epstein-Barr, coxsackie, HSV)• Bacterial (most commonly group A streptococcus / Streptococcus pyogenes)• Less common: Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniaeSymptoms & Signs• Sore throat, odynophagia (pain swallowing), fever• Red, swollen tonsils ± pus (exudate), bad breath• Tender cervical lymph nodes• Earache (referred), headache, malaise• Red flags: Stridor, one tonsil much larger (malignancy?), severe pain, airway issuesDiagnosis• Mostly clinical: history + exam• Consider rapid strep test or throat swab if bacterial suspected• Bloods: FBC, monospot for glandular fever• Scoring: Centor (fever, exudate, no cough, tender nodes) and FeverPAIN guide decision to test/treatManagement• Viral: Supportive care – fluids, paracetamol, rest• Bacterial: Antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin or erythromycin if allergic) if Centor/FeverPAIN criteria met, immunosuppression, or high risk• Delayed prescription or watchful waiting in borderline cases• Tonsillectomy: Only for severe recurrent tonsillitis (7/year, 5/year x2 years, 3/year x3 years), sleep apnoea, peritonsillar abscessComplications• Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy)• Otitis media, sinusitis• Rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis (post-strep)• Scarlet fever, Sydenham chorea, guttate psoriasis• Obstructed airway (rare, severe cases)• Surgical risks: bleeding, infection, taste changePrognosis• Most cases resolve within a week• Recurrence in some; surgery only for significant, disabling episodes• Prevention: Good hygiene, avoid smoke exposure📎 More Tonsillitis Revision Resources:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/tonsillitis-revision-notes/💬 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/tonsillitis-flashcards/🧠 Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/tonsillitis-accordion-qa-notes/📝 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/tonsillitis-rapid-quiz/🎯 Quiz Portal: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/tonsillitis/📚 ENT Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/ent-for-the-msra/🏷️ Hashtags#MSRA #Tonsillitis #ENTRevision #MedicalRevision #MSRAENT #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuestionBank #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #SoreThroat #Pharyngitis #UKGuidelines #ENTPodcast