4.3.1
Tonsillitis
Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 4, Ear, Nose and Throat Conditions.
Clinical Description
Acute inflammation of the tonsils. The main organism implicated in the causation is beta- hemolytic streptococcal.
Signs and Symptoms
- Sore throat, difficulty and pain on swallowing, inflamed tonsils, multiple white spots on the tonsillar surface, and sudden onset of fever.
Investigations
- FBC
- Throat swab for culture and sensitivity
Non-pharmacological
- Warm salt gargles
Pharmacological
- Give Amoxicillin 500mg 8 hourly for 7 days
- In severe infection, Amoxicillin 250/500mg + Clavulanic acid 125mg 8 hourly for 5- 7 days
Alternatively:
- Give Erythromycin 500mg, every 8 hours in Penicillin allergy
- Give Analgesia see Section 24.1 on pain relief
Refer if
- Peritonsillar abscess
- If symptoms persist or recurring episodes of 4-5 attacks per year
Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.
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