Overview

4.6 out of 5 (32 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

7

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Jul 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6689 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7951.5 hours of CME.

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Activity Description

Tonsillitis is a common inflammatory condition affecting the palatine tonsils, accounting for approximately 1.3% of outpatient visits. The condition is typically caused by viral or bacterial infections and manifests with symptoms such as sore throat, fever, odynophagia, and tonsillar erythema or exudate. Viral tonsillitis is often self-limiting; however, bacterial causes—most notably group A Streptococcus—can lead to significant complications, including peritonsillar abscess, acute rheumatic fever, and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to distinguish viral from bacterial etiologies. Clinical scoring systems, such as the Centor or McIsaac criteria and microbiological testing, help guide appropriate management and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. Early identification and intervention are critical to preventing complications and promoting effective recovery.

This educational activity provides evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of tonsillitis, emphasizing current recommendations for antimicrobial therapy and criteria for surgical referral. Learners gain knowledge of validated diagnostic tools and the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. The course highlights the role of interprofessional collaboration—among clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory personnel—in improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment plans, and reducing unnecessary interventions. Through coordinated care, healthcare professionals enhance patient-centered outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems by avoiding overtreatment and limiting the development of antimicrobial resistance.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify common viral and bacterial pathogens responsible for tonsillitis, including high-risk cases caused by group A Streptococcus.

  • Differentiate between viral and bacterial tonsillitis using validated clinical criteria and diagnostic tools.

  • Implement evidence-based treatment strategies, including appropriate antibiotic selection and duration.

  • Communicate effectively with patients affected by tonsillitis and their families about treatment plans, prognosis, and indications for tonsillectomy.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn their required annual part II self-assessment credit in the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery’s Continuing Certification program (formerly known as MOC). It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of recognizing participation.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Emily D. on 5/29/2021

Paula N. on 9/2/2021

Stephen w. on 9/24/2021

David Y. on 10/23/2021

David Y. on 2/19/2022

Sherrika W. on 3/28/2022

Brandon E. on 4/22/2022

Louie L. on 8/11/2022

Christine G. on 11/1/2022

Julie C. on 12/18/2022

Dr.NIRMALA M. on 1/6/2023

Lesly P. on 2/3/2023

Tayebeh N. on 4/7/2023

Dr Mekham M. on 11/8/2023

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Aneesh M. on 5/29/2024

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Anamaria P. on 6/6/2024

Christine A. on 6/16/2024

anne F. on 7/13/2024

ishvar p. on 9/19/2024

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Adrian d. on 12/8/2024

bert v. on 1/15/2025

Christina B. on 2/21/2025

Karen W. on 4/16/2025

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6689 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7951.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$73.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$329 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$499 per 1 year per user