Tonsilitis overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Tonsillitis''' is an [[infection]] of the [[tonsil]]s and will often, but not necessarily, cause a [[sore throat]] and [[fever]]. | '''Tonsillitis''' is an [[infection]] of the [[tonsil]]s and will often, but not necessarily, cause a [[sore throat]] and [[fever]]. | ||
==Classification== | |||
There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: '''[[Acute (medical)|acute]]''', '''[[subacute]]''' and '''[[Chronic (medicine)|chronic]]'''. Acute tonsillitis can either be [[bacterial]] or [[viral]] (75%) in origin. Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the bacterium ''[[Actinomyces]]''. Chronic tonsillitis, which can last for long periods if not treated, is almost always bacterial. | |||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Tonsillitis is associated with [[infection]], it is currently unknown if the swelling and other symptoms are caused by the infectious agents themselves, or by the host immune response to these agents. Tonsillitis may be a result of aberrant [[immune]] responses to the normal bacterial flora of the [[nasopharynx]]. | Tonsillitis is associated with [[infection]], it is currently unknown if the swelling and other symptoms are caused by the infectious agents themselves, or by the host immune response to these agents. Tonsillitis may be a result of aberrant [[immune]] responses to the normal bacterial flora of the [[nasopharynx]]. | ||
Revision as of 19:53, 13 December 2012
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Tonsilitis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Tonsilitis overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tonsilitis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]}
Overview
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever.
Classification
There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: acute, subacute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis can either be bacterial or viral (75%) in origin. Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces. Chronic tonsillitis, which can last for long periods if not treated, is almost always bacterial.
Pathophysiology
Tonsillitis is associated with infection, it is currently unknown if the swelling and other symptoms are caused by the infectious agents themselves, or by the host immune response to these agents. Tonsillitis may be a result of aberrant immune responses to the normal bacterial flora of the nasopharynx.