Tonsillitis

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Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils which is very common in children, from the preschool years to the mid-teenage years.

Why Does Tonsillitis Occurs?

Tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection usually. Bacteria can also cause it. Streptococcus pyogenes is common (See- Strep throat). Tonsillitis is transmitted most commonly from one person to another by contact e.g. droplets in the air from sneezing.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tonsillitis?

• Dry or Sore Throat
• Hoarse, muffled or throaty voice/ loss of voice temporarily
• Hard to feed/ refusal to eat because of swallowing difficulty in babies
• Painful swallowing
• Red and swollen tonsils and throat
• Headache
• Bad Breath
• Fever, chills
• Cough
• Ear pain
• Tenderness of the jaw and in the glands of the neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomachache (in younger children)
• Runny nose
• Yellow or white patches on the tonsils
• Redness of the eyes
• Rash

When to make an appointment with doctor?

In maximum cases medical care is not required as tonsillitis recover with time. But, call a doctor for advice if following symptoms are present-

• Fever, especially 101°F or higher
• Pain during swallowing
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Tender glands in the neck
• Red rash that feels rough
• Pus in the back of the throat
• Pain that is getting worsens day by day
• Change in voice

Go to a hospital's Emergency Department immediately in following situations-

• Drooling, unable to eat, drink, or take medicines
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Excess drooling in a young child

How can Tonsillitis be Diagnosed?

Doctor will perform a physical examination and look for signs of tonsillitis. By looking in your mouth and throat, he will try to find out Red and swollen tonsils. They may have white spots. Then, he will look at the lymph nodes in the jaw and neck. In tonsillitis lymph nodes may be swollen and tender to the touch.

The doctor may suggest diagnostic tests that will look for strep infection. A rapid strep test with a swab specimen from the back of the throat may be performed by doctor or his assistant immediately. But, it does not confirm that, you don’t have strep infection. So, he may send the throat swab to a laboratory for a strep culture. You may have to wait typically 24-48 hours to get the result.

But, if you have an abscess or other serious condition, the doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist.

What are the Complications of Tonsillitis?

• Swollen tonsils causing blocked airway and breathing difficulty
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Dehydration resulting from difficulty swallowing fluids
• Peritonsillar abscess
• Tonsillar cellulitis or, Infection spreading deep into surrounding tissue
• Kidney failure

In bacterial tonsillitis:

• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
• Rheumatic fever and related cardiovascular disorders
• Pharyngitis– bacterial

What is the way of Tonsillitis Prevention?

Tonsillitis occur more in children. So, parents should teach them preventive measures. The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Tonsillitis spread from person to person by contact. So, preventive measures are-

• Practicing good hygiene - Washing hands thoroughly and frequently
• Avoiding prolonged contact with people with strep throat
• Not sharing food, drinking glasses or utensils with people with strep throat

We should also think about other people and our environment. So, if you or your children have tonsillitis, prevent the spread of infection by-

• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue
• Washing hands after coughing or sneezing