Tonsillopharyngitis: clinical highlights

Abstract

Tonsillopharyngitis is an extremely common infection seen in adults and children. Although the symptoms and signs of this disease are usually sufficient to make a diagnosis, it is often difficult to make a distinction between bacterial and viral etiology on clinical grounds alone. The complications of tonsillopharyngitis may be classified into suppurative and nonsuppurative complications. The nonsuppurative complications include scarlet fever, acute rheumatic fever, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Suppurative complications include peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, and retropharyngeal cellulites and/or abscess. Features suggestive of viral bacterial (GABHS) etiologies, the medical and surgical guidelines for managing tonsillopharyngitis, and its complications are highlighted in this article.