Tonsillitis is an ailment related with throat. It occurs due to the inflammation of the tonsils caused by bacterial infection or viruses. When tonsillitis occurs due to viral infection it resolves by taking fluids, rest and using pain killer medicines. Whereas, in case it occurs due to bacterial infection, it generally happens because of strep throat which also brings fever with it.
Due to this ailment the tonsils present in the rear of throat, appear swollen and in certain cases the strep throat also causes headaches and swollen or sore jaw.
General Information
This disease is very general in children aged between 5 to 15 years old. While growing up, almost all children would have suffered from tonsillitis at least once in the lifetime. Every year in UK around 45,000 to 50,000 tonsillectomies are carried out on average.
Tonsillitis can occur in young adults too. The main reason of this is the result of infection called as glandular fever.
The general symptoms of tonsillitis are as following:
- Stiff, tender and/or swollen neck
- Swelling in the lymph nodes
- Headache
- Sore eyes
- Earache
- Fever
- Nasal congestions
- Swollen and/or red tonsils
- Cough
- Aches in the body
- Ulceration
- Chills etc.
Due to persistent tonsillitis (mono) a patient may suffer from serious complications like enlarged liver or spleen. And in advanced stages (like tonsillectomy) surgical removal of tonsils is the only alternative to cure this disease.
In obese children tonsil size may cause obstructions on airways (upper) than those who are comparatively not so obese.
What are the effects of tonsillitis on the patient?
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Disturbance in breathing during sleep
- Sleep apnea
- Can cause snoring
- Difficulty in talking properly
- For short period of time cessation of breathing
- Premature waking
Treatment for Tonsillitis-
Generally, the symptoms of tonsillitis can be alleviated by adopting following measures:
- Plenty of bed rest
- By drinking fluids in large quantity
- Ibuprofen or paracetamol assists in relieving the pain
The patients who face afore-mentioned symptoms, especially in case of fever accompanied by sore throat, should consult a doctor, as these symptoms can be addressed with antibiotics.
Usually strep throat is treatable with antibiotics. But lingering strep throat can lead to serious rheumatic fever or scarlet fever, which can damage the heart also. Through a quick strep test, it can be diagnosed within minutes at the doctor’s clinic.
