HEALTH MY LIVES

TONSILLITIS-CAUSES,SYMPTOMS,TREATMENT&PREVENTION

By Dr. Ganga Sapkota · · Updated

Tonsillitis causes symptoms and treatment
Contents

Overview:-

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are two pads of lymph tissue, one on each side at the back of the throat.

It is a very common illness, especially in children.

Tonsillitis may occur mainly due to the virus, but in some cases, bacteria could also play a role in causing tonsillitis.

It usually gets better within a few days to a week. A doctor diagnoses it by examining the throat and, if needed, testing for strep.

Swollen tonsils with white patches from tonsillitis

Photo by Personal, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is most common in school-age children and young people, but adults can get it too. Following are the symptoms of tonsillitis:-

  1. Tonsils turn into red and will be swollen.
  2. Patches and pus may be seen in tonsils area which is white and yellow in color.
  3. Difficulty swallowing foods and liquids. Very large tonsils can sometimes make breathing harder.
  4. Headache may occur due to the irritation.
  5. Fever and chills.
  6. You may feel pain in the throat area which is actually called sore throat.
  7. A muffled or changed voice.
  8. Bad breath, and breathing through the mouth.
  9. Sometimes you may feel pain in the ear and neck.
  10. Coughing, especially when a cold is the cause.
  11. Trouble sleeping because of throat or neck pain.
  12. Swollen, tender lymph glands in the neck.
  13. Pain in the stomach is mostly seen in the children.
  14. Loss of appetite.
  15. Weakness.
  16. Fatigue.

What are the causes of tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is mainly caused by the virus, but sometimes it may be caused due to bacteria, too. Following points are the causes of tonsillitis:-

Tonsillitis causes

1. Caused by Virus

  • Rhinovirus, a common cold virus, can infect the throat and inflame the tonsils.
  • Adeno Virus also promotes tonsillitis as it is directly associated with the common cold and sore in the throat.
  • Influenza (flu) viruses, which spread through respiratory droplets, can also cause tonsillitis.
  • Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of mono), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and cytomegalovirus sometimes cause this inflammation of the tonsils.
  • RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which infects the airways.

2. Caused by Bacteria

The most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep), the germ behind strep throat. According to the CDC, strep throat is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. Bacteria that infect the tonsils less often include:-

  • Fusobacterium
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia
  • Bordetella pertussis
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Chlamydia pneumonia

Additional Causes due to unhealthy lifestyle,

  • Smoking and secondhand smoke irritate the throat and can make throat infections worse.
  • Dehydration dries the throat and can make soreness worse.
  • Cold or hot foods and drinks do not cause tonsillitis. Infections do.

What are the preventions of tonsillitis?

Well, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will always keep you far away from any type of disease. In addition to that, we have to take care of the preventions of every disease because all types of disease will harm us and waste our time and money. Preventive measures of tonsillitis may include:-

  1. Never make a habit of having a smoke. If you already have the habit of smoking, then quit smoking.
  2. Stay away from people who are sick when you can, and keep sick children home.
  3. Limit alcohol, which can irritate the throat.
  4. Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing.
  5. Never share a toothbrush with anyone. Because the virus and bacteria may be transmitted through the toothbrush, too. ( Change or replace your own toothbrush after diagnosing tonsillitis. )
  6. Use your own utensils, water glass, etc.
  7. Drink plenty of fluids when you are sick. Warm or cold drinks can both soothe a sore throat.
  8. Teach your children to cover their coughs and to throw used tissues in the trash.
  9. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
  10. Consult with a doctor immediately if you have seen the above-mentioned symptoms.

Inflamed tonsils with white spots

Photo by Clara Polo Sabat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Treatments of tonsillitis:-

Treatment depends on the cause. That’s why Health My Lives always recommends you to consult with a doctor for the further treatments of any medical cases.

The doctor will examine the throat and neck and may do a rapid strep test or a throat culture, which uses a swab from the back of the throat.

Tonsillitis caused by a virus does not need antibiotics. It usually clears on its own with rest, fluids, warm salt-water gargles, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Don't give aspirin to children, because of the risk of Reye syndrome.

If the test shows strep, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. The CDC says penicillin or amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice for strep throat caused by group A streptococcus. Finish the full course, even if you feel better.

If your child is allergic to penicillin, tell the doctor, who will choose another antibiotic. People who get tonsillitis again and again may need surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy).

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