clinical features

Last reviewed 07/2021

Clinical features:

  • the patient is already suffering from acute tonsillitis
  • the patient continues to become more ill
  • referred earache is a common feature
  • the patient develops severe dysphagia
  • trismus is often a feature

On examination:

  • the buccal mucosa is dirty and fetor is present
  • the uvula may be very oedematous and displaced downwards and medially by the infected tonsil
  • the uvula may be so oedematous so as to resemble a white grape