- Penicillin. Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice for strep throat. It is practical and has used for many years.
- Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic, used to treat tonsillitis. It belongs to the same class of drugs as penicillin and is effective against strep throat.
- Erythromycin. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that is effective against strep throat. It is often use for people who are allergic to penicillin.
- Azithromycin. Azithromycin is a newer antibiotic effective against strep throat. When used for strep throat, it has usually given as a single dose.
- Cephalosporins. Cephalosporins are a class of antibiotics effective against strep throat. The most common cephalosporin used to treat strep throat is cephalexin.
- Tetracyclines. Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics effective against strep throat. The most common tetracycline used to treat strep throat is doxycycline.
What antibiotics are used to treat tonsillitis?
Antibiotics If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus. If your child is allergic to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe an alternative antibiotic.
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis, a common condition often referred to as a sore throat, is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Treatment depends on the cause and usually is delayed until lab test results are known.
When is a tonsillectomy necessary for tonsillitis?
A tonsillectomy may also be performed if tonsillitis results in difficult-to-manage complications, such as: Obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing difficulty. Swallowing difficulty, especially meats and other chunky foods. An abscess that doesn't improve with antibiotic treatment.
What is the function of the tonsils?
The tonsils are composed of lymphatic tissue and are a component of Waldeyer's ring along with the adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsil), tubal tonsil, and lingual tonsil.[1][2] They serve as an important defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens by providing the initial immunological barrier to insults.[2]
What antibiotics are used for tonsillitis?
Penicillin and amoxicillin are the antibiotics that doctors prescribe most often to adults with bacterial tonsillitis. People who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics will receive a suitable substitute.
When should tonsillitis be treated with antibiotics?
You only collect and take the antibiotic if your symptoms are not improving after three to five days, or if they're getting worse. If you do need an antibiotic, your GP is most likely to prescribe a five- to 10-day course of penicillin.
What is the best treatment for recurrent tonsillitis?
Recurrent tonsillitis is usually due to regrowth of tonsillar tissue, which is treated by excision. Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is the treatment for chronic tonsillitis.
Can you get tonsillitis from kissing?
Yes, you can spread tonsillitis through kissing. Tonsillitis can develop due to a virus or bacteria. Viruses and bacteria can spread through droplets from kissing, coughing, and sneezing. If you have tonsillitis, you should avoid kissing to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria to another person.
What antibiotics treat tonsillitis if allergic to penicillin?
Choice of antibiotic Alternative first choices for penicillin allergy or intolerance are clarithromycin or erythromycin. Amoxicillin should be avoided if there is a possibility of glandular fever. If penicillin-allergic, a 10-day course of clarithromycin is recommended.
For what purpose penicillin is used?
Penicillins are a group of antibiotics that fight bacteria and was originally developed from the Penicillium fungi. Penicillin V is one type of penicillin antibiotic and is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections such as ear infections, throat infections, skin infections and preventing rheumatic fever.
What is amoxicillin used for?
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections, such as chest infections (including pneumonia) and dental abscesses. It can also be used together with other antibiotics and medicines to treat stomach ulcers.
What antibiotics are prescribed for tonsillitis?
Antibiotics. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus. If your child is allergic to penicillin , your doctor will prescribe an alternative antibiotic.
What is the term for tonsillitis that doesn't respond to antibiotics?
Surgery to remove tonsils ( tonsillectomy) may be used to treat frequently recurring tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis that doesn't respond to antibiotic treatment. Frequent tonsillitis is generally defined as: At least seven episodes in the preceding year.
What is CBC test for strep throat?
The profile of what's elevated, what's normal or what's below normal can indicate whether an infection is more likely caused by a bacterial or viral agent. A CBC is not often needed to diagnose strep throat. However, if the strep throat lab test is negative, the CBC may be needed to help determine the cause of tonsillitis.
How to check for strep throat in kids?
Your child's doctor will start with a physical exam that will include: Using a lighted instrument to look at your child's throat and likely his or her ears and nose, which also may be sites of infection. Checking for a rash known as scarlatina, which is associated with some cases of strep throat. Gently feeling (palpating) your child's neck ...
What to do if your child has tonsillitis?
If your child is experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or other symptoms that may indicate tonsillitis , you'll likely start with a visit to your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. You may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat disorders. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions about your child's ...
How long does it take for tonsillitis to heal?
Your doctor won't prescribe antibiotics. Your child will likely be better within seven to 10 days.
How to test for streptococcal bacteria in children?
With this simple test, the doctor rubs a sterile swab over the back of your child's throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample will be checked in the clinic or in a lab for streptococcal bacteria.
What is the treatment for tonsillitis?
Acute tonsillitis treatment is usually via outpatient supportive management, including analgesia and oral hydration; hospital admission is rarely necessary.[4] Medications such as steroids and NSAIDs can provide symptomatic relief.[19] Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS) is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis, and penicillins are the antibiotic of choice; these are usually a 10-day oral regimen or a single benzathine penicillin G intramuscular injection. In penicillin-allergic patients, a 5-day course of azithromycin or a 10-day course of cephalosporin or clindamycin are also options. [22][19]
What antibiotics are used for tonsillitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis and, if antibiotic treatment is deemed to be appropriate, penicillins are generally the antibiotic of choice.[22] In patients with a penicillin allergy, antibiotic therapy with azithromycin or cephalosporins is comparable to treatment with penicillin. However, when considering the use of antibiotics, the provider should weigh the risks against the benefits. It is important to note that most pathogens responsible for tonsillitis belong to healthy flora and do not require full eradication.[19] The risks of antibiotic use include increased antibacterial resistance, GI upset, diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infection, and cost.[17] Additionally, while antibiotics may reduce suppurative complications and symptom duration, the effect is small.[15] A Cochrane review found that the duration of symptoms only decreases by 16 hours. The benefit from antibiotics is more likely to be seen in populations with high rates of complications, especially rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever.[3] Antibiotics are most important in patients at high risk of rheumatic heart disease, including indigenous populations in Australia and certain lower socioeconomic status communities.
What is a peritonsillar abscess?
Peritonsillar abscesses are a collection of pus between the pharyngeal constrictor muscle and tonsillar capsule, and tonsillitis symptoms often precede their appearance. It is worth noting that this symptom development does not prove causation. While the two diagnoses are clinically distinct, antibiotic treatment for tonsillitis reduces abscess development risk.[25] Adolescents and younger adults are the most commonly affected. Smokers are at higher risk. Most infections are polymicrobial and respond well to a combination of antibiotics, steroids, and drainage. [26]
What is tonsillitis caused by?
Acute tonsillitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, in rare cases, causes rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory, immunological disease that occurs following infection with group A Streptococcus. It most commonly presents in patients between 5 to 18 years old. While rare in the developed world, in developing nations, the incidence is as high as 24 per 1000. The disease affects multiple organ systems, most commonly causing arthritis, which presents in the large joints as migratory, asymmetrical, and painful. Carditis affects nearly 50% of patients and often causes valvular pathology, with the mitral valve being the most commonly affected. Sydenham chorea is a classic delayed presentation of involuntary movements of the limbs and facial muscles with associated speech and gait abnormalities. Patients may present with a rash known as erythema marginatum and subcutaneous nodules. [27]
How many tonsillitis episodes are there in one year?
Recurrent tonsillitis is arbitrarily defined but generally identified as five or more tonsillitis episodes in one year.[5] Special consideration should be given to cause, and, while rare, primary immunodeficiency requires consideration.[23] Treatment may be surgical, including tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy. The American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery outlines the criteria for surgical management decision making. Tonsillectomy provides mostly short term benefits reflected in studies as a decrease in absence from school, sore throat days, and diagnosed infections with limited long term benefits. [24]
What is the differential diagnosis for tonsillitis?
The differential diagnosis for tonsillitis is broad and includes pharyngitis, retropharyngeal abscess, epiglottitis, and Ludwig angina. The presence of dental or peritonsillar abscess is also a possibility. Kawasaki disease, Coxsackie virus, primary HIV, Ebstein-Barr virus, and oral Candidiasis may also present with throat pain, and differentiation can be via history and other clinical features. [15]
How to evaluate tonsillitis?
Imaging is rarely necessary for uncomplicated infections. Evaluation should begin with a thorough history and physical exam, and this information can be used to calculate a Centor Score. This scoring system uses the following criteria: the presence of a fever, tonsillar enlargement and/or exudates, tender cervical lymphadenopathy, and absence of a cough. Each finding warrants one point. This criterion was updated to include an age modification, giving an extra point for age groups 3 to 15 years and subtracting a point for patients 45 years of age and older. [16][17]In patients scoring 0 to 1, no further testing or antibiotics is necessary. In patients scoring 2 to 3 points, rapid strep testing and throat culture is an option. In patients with scores of 4 or more, clinicians should consider testing and empiric antibiotics.