Acute tonsillitis

In postwar France, the Berthier Pharmaceutical Company in Grenoble began to pursue a sideline project of producing soothing liquid bismuth preparations for acute tonsillitis. Being dissatisfied with the commonly used oils, they elected to use the supposedly... 

In a randomized open study, 325 children aged 2-15 years with acute tonsillitis and a positive test for Streptococcus pyogenes antigen were treated with josamycin 25 mg/kg bd for 5 days, or penicillin 50 000-100 000 lU/day for 10 days in five patients taking josamycin treatment was withdrawn because of gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea/vomiting) (1). 

Upper respiratory tract disorders are diagnosed as upper respiratory infections (URIs) and include acute rhinitis, sinusitis, acute tonsillitis, and acute laryngitis. Do not confuse acute rhinitis with allergic rhinitis. 

Acute tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils commonly caused by streptococcus bacteria, which results in a sore throat, chills, fever, aching muscles, and pain when swallowing. A throat culture and sensitivity is performed to determine the bacteria causing the infection and the antibiotic to treat the infection. Acute tonsillitis also can be caused by a virus. Saline gargles, lozenges, and increased fluid help soothe the throat. 

What bacteria commonly cause acute tonsillitis ... 

Indications Wind heat, initial stage. Common cold, flus, acute bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, epidemic conjunctivitis, headache, vertigo, acute tracheitis. 

For severe sore throat as in acute tonsillitis, add Radix Scrophulariae Ningpoensis Xuan Shen) and Fructus Arctii Lappae Niu Bang Zi). 

Bismuth biphenylylacrylate, in 5 mg suppositories, is effective in miscellaneous non-rheumatic inflammatory states such as acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis and adnexitis . 

Panfuran acetate or acetylpanfuran, 3-acetylamino-6-(5-nitro-2-furyl-vinyl)-l,2,4-triazine Table 6.9), has been used for the treatment of acute tonsillitis. Although rapid clinical improvement was observed it must be remembered that results are difficult to assess. In the same study, black discoloration of the tongue was noted. Panfuran acetate has also been employed as an ointment. When used in concentrations of 0-03 per cent and 0-5 per cent, this formulation did not seem to cause any irritation (relevant to this point is that its precursor guanofuracin had caused leukoderma of the eyelids and therefore had to be withdrawn despite its good clinical efficacy). 

Clinical efficacy (81-89%) and bacteriological cure (90-94%) rates were achieved in the treatment of acute tonsillitis and other otolaryngologi-cal infections [310, 311]. This macrolide is effective in the treatment of CAP, with clinical and bacteriological efficacy of >85% [312]. 

Baba, S., Kinoshita, H., Mori, Y, Sanbe, B., Ueda, R., Kawamura, S., Sugita, R., Fujimaki, Y, Nomura, Y, Kawabata, I., et al. (1985). Clinical evaluation of the TMS-19-Q.GC tablet in acute tonsillitis. A comparative double blind study with josamycin [in Japanese]. Jpn. J. Antibiot. 38, 1368-1388. 

A throat culture is taken to determine the cause of the infection before an appropriate antibiotic is prescribed to the patient. The patient is also given acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the fever and the aches and pains associated with acute tonsillitis. The patient is also encouraged to use saline gargles, lozenges, and increased fluid to soothe the soreness brought on by infected tonsils. Antibiotics are only used if a bacterial infection is suspected. 

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