Epidemiology and infection
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Over a period of 9 years in general practice temporary enlargement of the spleen was found in 29 episodes of pharyngitis or tonsillitis, in 2 episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infection other than pharyngitis and in 6 episodes of acute cervical lymphadenitis. In five patients more than one episode of illness associated with splenomegaly was recorded. ⋯ Episodes with evidence of streptococcal infection only tended to be of shorter duration and to be more evenly distributed over the year than were episodes without such evidence. Temporary splenomegaly was noted also in two children with varicella (one of whom also had streptococcal infection) and in an adult with probable rubella.