Background: Tonsillitis is one of the common upper respiratory tract infections which can arise from either bacterial or viral causes. Correctly distinguishing between the two forms is essential for guiding effective therapy and limiting the overuse of antibiotics.
Aim: The goal of the study is A Prospective study comparing Bacterial and Viral tonsillitis “Diagnostic pattern and therapeutic outcomes”in ShadanInstitute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital and Research Centre.
Objectives:
• To evaluate triggering factors contributing to tonsillitis.
• To determinethe most prevalent causative agents of bacterial and viral tonsillitis.
• To analyse the prevalence of acute, chronic, and recurrent tonsillitis.
• To study the diagnostic pattern in patients presenting with tonsillitis.
• To evaluateclinical presentations and laboratory findings in bacterial versus viral tonsillitis.
• To assess treatment strategies for tonsillitis following the WHO guidelines.
• To compare drug indicators and treatment outcomes in patients with bacterial and viral tonsillitis.
Materials and Methods:
Data are collected from hospital-admitted patientswith tonsillitis and sore throat symptoms. Prior to observation, the patient’s guardian provided written informed consent, and confidentiality wasupheld.
Results:
Viral infections had been noted in most of the cases (63.3%), while bacterial cases represented 36.7%. Group a Streptococcus was the predominant bacterial pathogen, and in most of the viral cases, adenovirus was commonly seen. A family history of tonsillitis and complications such as scarlet fever and Rheumatic fever was more prevalent associated with bacterial infection. Viral tonsillitis typically resolves with conservative management, while antibiotic therapy in bacterial cases resulted in quicker symptom relief correlated with adjunctive treatment alone (p < 0.05). Patients with bacterial tonsillitis also presented with higher severity scores, prolonged fever, and tonsillar exudates. Conclusion: Tonsillitis continues to stand for a significant clinical concern, presenting in both bacterial and viral forms, each associated with distinct diagnostic patterns and treatment outcomes. In many rural and resource-limited settings, inadequate awareness, diagnostic delays, and inappropriate use of antibiotics contribute to complications and hinder recovery. Research shows that individuals with bacterial tonsillitis show favorable responses to proper antibiotic therapy, while viral infections are better managed with supportive care. This distinction highlights the critical importance of accurate diagnosis in guiding effective management and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.