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A longer stay for the kissing disease: epidemiology of bacterial tonsillitis and infectious mononucleosis over a 20-year period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2013

P Lennon ,
J Saunders  and
J E Fenton
P Lennon*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
J Saunders
Affiliation:
Statistical Consulting Unit, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Ireland
J E Fenton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Paul Lennon, ENT Registrar, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland E-mail: paullennon81@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

Anecdotally, infectious mononucleosis is considered a more severe infection than bacterial tonsillitis, requiring a longer hospital stay. However, there is little in the literature comparing the epidemiology of the two conditions. This study aimed to compare the epidemiology of bacterial tonsillitis and infectious mononucleosis, in particular any differences in the length of in-patient stay.

Methodology:

The hospital in-patient enquiry system was used to analyse patients admitted with bacterial tonsillitis and infectious mononucleosis between 1990 and 2009 inclusive.

Results:

There was a total of 3435 cases over the 20 years: 3064 with bacterial tonsillitis and 371 with infectious mononucleosis. The mean length of stay was 3.22 days for bacterial tonsillitis and 4.37 days for infectious mononucleosis. The median length of stay for each condition was compared using the Mann–Whitney U non-parametric test, and a significant difference detected (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Patients with infectious mononucleosis have a significantly longer stay in hospital than those with bacterial tonsillitis.

Keywords

TonsillitisInfectious MononucleosisLength of StayEpidemiology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 2 , February 2013 , pp. 187 - 191
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013

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Footnotes

Presented at the Sylvester O’Halloran Surgical Scientific Meeting, 4 March 2011, Limerick, Ireland

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