Acute Tonsillitis

This page was last updated on: April 7, 2012

Acute Tonsillitis (Strep Throat)

The disease usually begins with high temperature and possibly chills, especially in children. The patient complains of a persistent pain in the throat, and pain radiating to the ear on swallowing. Opening the mouth is often difficult and painful, the tongue is coated, and there is a mouth odor. The patient may also complain of headache, thick speech, marked feeling of malaise, as well as swelling and tenderness of the neck glands (lymph nodes). Both tonsils and the surrounding area including the posterior pharyngeal wall are deep red and swollen. Later, whitish spots (follicles) form on the tonsils, hence the name follicular tonsillitis. There is also swelling of the neighboring organs such as the faucial pillars, the uvula, and the base of the tongue.

Chronic Tonsillitis
Chronic tonsillitis refers to repeated attacks of acute tonsillitis.

Ultimately, the follicles coalesce to form a white patch over the tonsils (coalescent tonsillitis). Note the swelling of the uvula.

THIS IS NOT TONSILLITIS!

In this picture taken a week after tonsillectomy, the tonsils have been removed and the whitish discoloration in the tonsillectomy bed is the eschar that forms postoperatively. This is normal after a tonsillectomy and should not be confused with infection. Occasionally, this white eschar falls off prematurely, causing delayed postoperative hemorrhage. Acute Tonsillitis Post-tonsillectomy appearance of the oropharynx.

Peritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)

THIS IS TONSILLITIS
In this picture, there is diffuse purulent exudate covering both tonsils. The uvula and pillars are red and swollen.

This fleshy nodule turned out to be asquamous cell carcinoma of the posterior oropharyngeal wall.