COMPLICATION

TONSILLITIS
• Complications resulting from tonsillitis are uncommon, but some of
the problems that can occur are outlined below.
• Middle ear infection (also known as otitis media) is a build-up of
mucus in the middle ear, between your ear drum and inner ear. In
most cases, the infection clears by itself.
• Quinsy is a rare condition that sometimes develops when infection
spreads from a swollen tonsil to the surrounding area, causing
an abscess (pus-filled swelling) in the throat. Abscesses can be
easily treated using antibiotics, although a small operation to drain
the pus may sometimes be needed.
• Swelling of the face and neck, although rare, can potentially block
the airways and prevent a person from breathing. Chronic tonsillitis
can cause obstructive sleep apnoea, which prevents some of the
oxygen from getting to your brain and may lead to disturbed
sleeping patterns.
• Blood poisoning (septicaemia) can occur if bacteria get into
your bloodstream and multiply. The bacteria can be
destroyed using antibiotics.
• Glomerulonephritis (very rare) is inflammation (swelling)
of the filters in your kidneys, caused by streptococcal
bacteria.
• Rheumatic fever is a rare condition that causes widespread
inflammation (swelling) throughout the body.
• Lemierre's syndrome is a rare condition in which bacteria
spread from your throat to major veins in your neck. Small
'clumps' of bacteria then travel through your bloodstream to
your lungs, joints and bones. Lemierre's syndrome can be
easily treated with antibiotics but can be fatal if it is not
diagnosed quickly.
 PHARINGITIS
• The complication rate of viral pharyngitis associated
with a common cold is quite low. Purulent bacterial
otitis media and sinusitis may occur.
• Infectious mononucleosis may be complicated by
tonsillar and peritonsillar abscess, necrotic epiglottitis,
airway obstruction, hepatic dysfunction, splenic
rupture, hypersplenism, encephalitis, pneumonitis,
pericarditis, and hematologic disorders.
• Herpetic pharyngitis may lead to necrotizing tonsillitis,
epiglottitis, and recurrent disease.
• Influenza may be complicated by
secondary bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal
pneumonia is most common. Staphylococcal
pneumonia is most serious.
• RSV infection, particularly in infants, elderly
persons, and patients with underlying COPD, may
be complicated by pneumonia and respiratory
failure.
• Complications of HIV infection are beyond the
scope of this article. For more information, see
the article HIV Disease.
 LARINGITIS
• Acute laryngitis - complications are rare, as the
disease is usually self-limiting. Damage to the
vocal cords is possible in patients who try to
overcompensate for the dysphonia.
• Chronic laryngitis - the main complications are
voice loss, obstruction of the airways and chronic
cough. Laryngeal stenosis may develop
occasionally. Rarely, in severe infections such as
those with herpes viruses, laryngeal erosion and
necrosis may occur.[1]
 PNEUMONIA
• Often, people who have pneumonia can be
successfully treated and do not have complications.
Possible complications of pneumonia may include:
• Bacteremia and septic shock. Bacteremia is a serious
complication in which bacteria from the initial site of
infection spread into the blood. It may lead to septic
shock, a potentially fatal complication.
• Lung abscesses. Lung abscesses usually are treated
with antibiotics. Sometimes surgery or drainage with a
needle is needed to remove the pus.
• Pleural effusions, empyema, and pleurisy. These painful or even
potentially fatal complications can occur if pneumonia is not
treated. The pleura is a membrane that consists of two large, thin
layers of tissue. One layer wraps around the outside of your lungs
and the other layer lines the inside of your chest cavity. Pleurisy is
when the two layers of the pleura become irritated and inflamed,
causing sharp pain each time you breathe in. The pleural space is a
very thin space between the two pleura. Pleural effusions are the
build-up of fluid in the pleural space. If the fluid becomes infected,
it is called empyema. If this happens, you may need to have the
fluid drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery.
• Renal failure
• Respiratory failure