Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which are lymph glands located on both sides of the throat that help fight infections. It is commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections and symptoms include sore throat and painful swallowing. Diagnosis involves a throat swab and blood tests. Treatment consists of pain relievers, antibiotics if bacteria are detected, and tonsillectomy for recurring cases. Complications can include spread of infection or abscesses.

1. TONSILLISTIS AND ITS DIAGNOSIS
SEMINAR PRESENTATION
BY
MATRIC NUMBER : 777/MLT/21/0750
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
POGIL COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
OKE-MOSUN , OKE-ERI , VIA IJEBU ODE ,
OGUN STATE
SUPERVISED BY Sct, N.S USMAN
2023
1

2. OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Epidemiology
• Causes
• Triggering Factors
• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
• References
2

3. INTRODUCTION
• Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, two masses of tissue at the lateral part
of the throat palate.
• Tonsils are protective (lymph) glands that are situated on both sides in the throat.
• The tonsils constitute an important part of the body's immune system and are vital
defense organs. (Klug et al., 2016)
• They protect the body from bacteria and viruses by fighting these as soon as they
enter the body (via the oral / nasal cavity). (Gollan et al., 2019)
3

4. Fig :1 Picture showing Tonsils (De M, 2018).
4

5. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Tonsillitis occurs throughout the world, without racial or ethnic differences.
• Most children have tonsillitis at least during their childhood, although it
rarely occurs before the age of two.
• It most typically occurs between the ages of four and five; bacterial
infections most typically occur at a later age. (Bird et al., 2014)
5

6. CAUSES
• Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis through droplet infection.
• A common cause is Streptococcus bacteria.
• Other common causes include:
o Adenoviruses
o Influenza virus
o Epstein-Barr virus
o Parainfluenza viruses
o Enteroviruses
o Herpes simplex virus
(Klug et al., 2016)
6

7. TRIGGERING FACTORS
• Foods with artificial colors and preservatives.
• Cold foods, cold drinks, Ice creams.
• Changes of weather.
• Extremely cold climate,
• Damp weather.
• Exposure to a lot of pollution (Casey and Pichichero, 2004)
7

8. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Those with tonsillitis usually experience sore throat, painful
swallowing, malaise, and fever.
• The tonsils and often the back of the throat appear reddish and swollen, and
sometimes give off a white discharge.
• Some also have tender swelling of the cervical lymph nodes.
• Many viral infections that cause tonsillitis will also cause cough, runny
nose, hoarse voice, or blistering in the mouth or throat. (Gollan et al., 2019)
8

9. DIAGNOSIS
• Throat swab :This is used to get a sample of the secretion from the back of
the throat.
• Monospot test: A blood test can detect certain antibodies, which can help
confirm that a person’s symptoms are due to mononucleosis.
• Epstein-Barr virus antibodies: If a monospot test is negative, antibodies in
the blood against EBV might help diagnose mononucleosis.
• Blood tests: This primarily includes a complete blood count (CBC) which is
done to confirm the presence of infection. (Windfuhr et al., 2006)
9

10. Fig :2 Picture of throat swab sample site (Windfuhr et al., 2006)
10

11. TREATMENT
• Acetaminophen & Ibuprufen are given for relieving the symptoms.
• Antibiotics are prescribed once bacterial infection is confirmed.
• Tonsillectomy – For those children's who do not respond to antibiotics
• Quinsy - It is usually treated by draining the abscess and antibiotics.
Sometimes removing the tonsils is needed to treat quinsy. (Brook, 2005).
11

12. COMPLICATIONS
• Local: Severe swelling with spread of infection and inflammation to the
hypopharynx and larynx may occasionally produce increasing respiratory
obstruction, although it is very rare in uncomplicated acute tonsillitis.
• Septicemia: Untreated acute tonsillitis can result in septicemia with septic
abscesses, septic arthritis and meningitis (Danchin, et al., 2002)
12

13. CONCLUSION
• Inflammation or infection of the tonsils is medically termed as Tonsillitis.
which are protective (lymph) glands that are situated on both sides in the
throat. The tonsils constitute an important part of the body's immune system
and are vital defense organs. They protect the body from bacteria and viruses
by fighting these as soon as they enter the body (via the oral / nasal cavity).
13

14. RECOMMENDATIONS
• Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
• Keep children away from kids who are known to have tonsillitis or a sore throat.
• Remind kids about the importance of proper hand-washing, especially when
around people who appear to be sick.
• Wash and disinfect surfaces and toys.
• Teaching kids to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, preferably
using a tissue papper so that germs do not get on their hands. And show them
how to use tissues to wipe their noses.
• Carry disposable wipes and a hand sanitizer to clean hands.
14

15. REFERENCES
• Bird, J.H., Biggs, T.C., and King EV (2014). "Controversies in the management of acute tonsillitis: an evidence-
based review". Clinical Otolaryngology (Review). 39 (6): 368–74.
• Brook, I. (2005). "The role of anaerobic bacteria in tonsillitis". Internation Journal Pediatric
Otorhinolaryngology (Review). 69 (1): 9–19.
• Casey, J.R., and Pichichero, M.E. (2004). "Meta-analysis of cephalosporin versus penicillin treatment of group A
streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children". Pediatrics (Meta-analysis). 113 (4): 866–882.
• De M, Anari, S. (2018). "Infections and foreign bodies in ENT". Surgery (Oxford) (Review). 36 (10): 555–556.
• Danchin, M.H., Curtis, N., Nolan, T.M., and Carapetis, J.R. (2002). "Treatment of sore throat in light of the
Cochrane verdict: is the jury still out?". Medical Journal of Australia. 177 (9): 512–5.
• Gollan, B., Grabe, G., Michaux, C., and Helaine, S. (2019). "Bacterial Persisters and Infection: Past, Present, and
Progressing". Annual Review Microbiology (Review). 73: 359–385.
• Klug, T.E., Rusan, M., Fuursted, K., and Ovesen, T. (2016). "Peritonsillar Abscess: Complication of Acute
Tonsillitis or Weber's Glands Infection?". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (Review). 155 (2): 199–207.
• Windfuhr, J.P., Toepfner, N., Steffen, G., Waldfahrer, F., and Berner, R. (2016). "Clinical practice guideline:
tonsillitis I. Diagnostics and nonsurgical management". Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngology (Practice
guideline). 273 (4): 973–87.
15

16. THANKS
FOR
LISTENING
16