TONSILITIS
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils caused by viral, and sometimes bacterial infection.
- The tonsils are the two oval-shaped pads of tissues located at the back of the throat.]
- They are composed of tissues similar to the lymph nodes and are part of the immune system.
- They act as a defense mechanism, trapping germs that could enter the airways and cause infections.
- This function makes the tonsils vulnerable to infection and inflammation.
- They also provide antibodies to fight infection.
- Tonsillitis can occur at any age but it is common, especially in children.
- Tonsillitis is rare in adult because the tonsil’s immune system function declines after puberty.
- Recurrent or chronic tonsillitis can lead to complications such as difficulty breathing, tonsillar cellulitis (an infection that spreads deep into the surrounding tissues), peritonsillar abscess (an infection that results in the collection of pus behind the tonsil.
CAUSES
Tonsillitis is mostly caused by viruses, but can sometimes be caused by bacterial infections.
The condition can be caused by:
- Common cold
- Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) that cause strep throat. This is the most common bacteria that causes tonsillitis
- Epstein- Barr virus
Tonsillitis is contagious. Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogene is highly contagious and tonsillitis caused by Epstein-Barr virus is contagious the first time a person has it.
If tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus or other strain of streptococcus bacteria is left untreated, or antibiotics is incomplete, the child is at an increased risk of disorders such as rheumatic fever (which can lead to damage to the heart) or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
SYMPTOMS
- A very severe sore throat
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Fever
- Bad breath
- A headache
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stiff neck
- White or yellow coating on the tonsils
- A scratchy-sounding voice
- swollen gland in the neck
- Stomachache, especially in younger children.
You should see a doctor if a child is experiencing:
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away in 24 to 48 hours
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme difficulty swallowing
- A fever that is higher than 103 F.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will carry out a physical examination. During the physical examination, the doctor will:
- Check your child’s throat and likely the ears and nose, which may also be a site of infection, with the aid of a lighted instrument.
- Check for scarlatina, a rash associated with strep throat.
- Listen to your child’s breathing with the aid of a stethoscope.
- Gently feel your child’s neck to check for swollen glands
A throat swab may also be taken. This is done by gently swabbing the back of the child’s throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample is sent to the laboratory for culture and identification of the underlying cause.
TREATMENT
A mild case of tonsillitis such as one caused by the common cold does not necessarily require treatment. Treatment option may include rest, taking plenty of fluids, lozenges for a sore throat, providing foods such as warm liquids, preparing a salt water gargle.
If the condition is caused by bacteria, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms go away completely. Failure may result in complications.
Frequently recurring tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis that does not respond to antibiotics may require surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy).
A tonsillectomy may also be performed if tonsillitis results in difficult to manage situations such as difficulty breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, difficulty eating meat or chunky foods, an abscess that doesn’t resolve with antibiotics.