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Differential diagnosis

Authoring team

The differential includes:-

  • infectious mononucleosis - this may cause a severe membranous tonsillitis. Diagnosis confirmed by Bunnell test. (1)
  • scarlet fever - rare - streptococcal tonsillitis with added features caused by a specific toxin. The condition is characterised by a punctate erythematous rash, whiteness around the mouth, and a 'strawberry and cream' tongue.
  • diphtheria (2)
  • agranulocytosis

References

  1. Ebell MH. Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Oct 1;70(7):1279-87.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases. Chapter 1: diphtheria. Dec 2022 [internet publication].

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