Key points for diagnosis
(1) Three to four days after the onset of tonsillitis, fever will be persistent or worsen. The unilateral pharynx is increasingly painful, especially when the patient swallows. The pain radiates to the homolateral ear. After two to three more days, the pharyngx is even more painful,with painful swallowing, retention of saliva in the mouth, slurred speech and difficulty in opening the mouth.

(2) Local examination shows marked congestion of the unilateral palatoglossal arch at the early stage of peritonsillitis. When the abscess forms, examination may show the projection of the upper part of the palatoglossal arch with the homolateral soft palate and the red swollen uvula deviating to the opposite side. The tonsil is covered and pushed downwards.

(3) Confirmed diagnosis may be made after the abstraction of pus by puncturing the most apparent part of the projection.

In TCM, a disease or a symptom might be caused by one pathogenic factor, even two or three pathogenic factors. When diagnosing a disease or a symptom, TCM doctors must follow the principle of "Syndrome Dfferentiation", and then "Suit the Remedy to the Case". In order to gain a more definite and valuable diagnosis, it's important and necessary for the doctor to learn the detailed health information of the patient, including his/her disease duration, age, sex, height, weight, family history, urine, stool, diet, sleep, sweat, energy, mood (emotion), as well as the tongue conditions and the palm conditions, etc. If you would want our expert to create a TCM diagnosis, you're welcome to contact us.