Tonsillitis- Healthy Tips You Must Know

by | Oct 9, 2020 | Research | 0 comments

What is Tonsillitis? Tonsillitis is swelling of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat – one tonsil on each side. Tonsils act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection. They also make antibodies to fight infection. But sometimes, they get overwhelmed by bacteria or viruses. This can make them swollen and inflamed and as result, confirming the possible havoc wrecked on the tonsils.

Types of Tonsillitis

  1. Acute tonsillitis. These symptoms usually last 3 or 4 days but can last up to 2 weeks.
  2. Recurrent tonsillitis. This is when you get tonsillitis several times in a year.
  3. Chronic tonsillitis. This is when you have a long-term tonsil infection.

Causes of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections can also be the cause.

The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis. Common bacteria and viruses are:

  1. Adenoviruses
  2. Influenza virus
  3. Epstein-Barr virus
  4. Parainfluenza viruses
  5. Enteroviruses
  6. Herpes simplex virus

Symptoms of tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis most commonly affects children within the bracket pre-school ages and the mid-teenage years. Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:

  1. Red, swollen tonsils
  2. White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
  3. Sore throat
  4. Difficult or painful swallowing
  5. Fever
  6. Swollen, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
  7. A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice
  8. Bad breath
  9. Stomachache, particularly in younger children
  10. Stiff neck
  11. Headache

In younger children that are not yet in the bracket above (toddlers), their own symptoms may include:

  • Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing
  • Refusal to eat
  • Unusual fussiness

What are the Risk factors?

Factors for tonsillitis include:

  1. Young age: Tonsillitis most often occurs in children, but rarely in those younger than age 2. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is most common in children ages 5 to 15, while viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children.
  2. Frequent exposure to germs: School-age children are in close contact with their peers and frequently exposed to viruses or bacteria that can cause tonsillitis.

The known Complications of Tonsillitis

Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils from frequent or ongoing (chronic) tonsillitis can cause complications such as:

  1. Difficulty in breathing
  2. Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
  3. Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)
  4. Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)

How long should you wait before seeing US at ALTH.

You have no time not to even thinking of waiting on child self-recovery or use of unapproved trado-medical approaches, in the meantime, the following send signal on when, and how serious you should handle tonsillitis infection. Once you notice these indications, see US:

  1. A sore throat that doesn’t go away within 24 to 48 hours
  2. Painful or difficult swallowing
  3. Extreme weakness, fatigue or fussiness
  4. Difficulty breathing
  5. Extreme difficulty swallowing
  6. Drooling