부산대학교 도서관

This chapter evaluates pharyngotonsillitis (PT), an inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils characterized by the presence of increased pharyngeal and tonsillar redness and finding of an exudate, ulceration, or a membrane covering the tonsils. Because the pharynx is served by lymphoid tissues of the Waldeyer ring, an infection can spread to include various parts of the ring such as the nasopharynx, uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, and the cervical lymph glands. Based on the extent of the infection, it can be described as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillopharyngitis, or nasopharyngitis. The duration of any of these illnesses can be acute, subacute, chronic, or recurrent. The diagnosis of PT generally requires the consideration of group A β‎-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) infection. However, other bacteria, viruses, and other infections and noninfectious causes should be considered. Determining if GABHS is the cause of the PT is very important because early antimicrobial therapy shortens the illness, prevents suppurative and nonsuppurative complications, reduces transmission of the pathogen, and prevents misuse of antimicrobials.