What Is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. It is caused by either a virus or a bacterium (usually the bacterium known as streptococcus - the same bacterium that causes "strep throat"). Tonsillitis mostly occurs in young children.
What Are Tonsils and Adenoids?
The tonsils are a pair of small almond-shaped organs located of the mouth on both sides of the throat. The adenoids are similar to the tonsils but are located in the upper portion of the throat behind the nose, where they can't be seen.
The tonsils are a pair of small almond-shaped organs located of the mouth on both sides of the throat. The adenoids are similar to the tonsils but are located in the upper portion of the throat behind the nose, where they can't be seen.
At one time many doctors believed that tonsils had no real purpose and often routinely removed them to avoid tonsillitis. Today, tonsils and adenoids are seen as perhaps the "first line of defense" against disease-causing germs that enter the body through the nose, mouth, or throat.
Tonsils and adenoids protect against germs during early childhood by producing antibodies . By attacking bacteria and viruses, antibodies play an important role in the body's immune system. The problem is that in the process of protecting the body, the tonsils and adenoids can become infected themselves.
Tonsils and adenoids protect against germs during early childhood by producing antibodies . By attacking bacteria and viruses, antibodies play an important role in the body's immune system. The problem is that in the process of protecting the body, the tonsils and adenoids can become infected themselves.
As children grow and develop, the tonsils and adenoids eventually begin to shrink and are probably no longer important in protecting against disease-causing germs. Even in young children, removal of infected tonsils or adenoids does not seem to weaken the body's defenses. There are many other tissues in the body that are part of the immune system. These tissues, known as lymphoid tissues , also make antibodies to fight against infection.
Facts About Tonsillitis:
Doctors once believed that tonsils and adenoids served no purpose and routinely removed them to prevent tonsillitis. Today these organs may be considered to be the "first line of defense" against upper respiratory infections, which enter the body through the nose, mouth, and throat.
An abscess, or pocket of pus, that forms around a tonsil is also known as a quinsy.
When tonsils become so enlarged that a child's voice changes, it is called "hot potato" voice. This is one sign that the tonsils should be removed.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tonsillitis?
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. It may develop either suddenly or gradually. It may be either mild or severe.
Facts About Tonsillitis:
Doctors once believed that tonsils and adenoids served no purpose and routinely removed them to prevent tonsillitis. Today these organs may be considered to be the "first line of defense" against upper respiratory infections, which enter the body through the nose, mouth, and throat.
An abscess, or pocket of pus, that forms around a tonsil is also known as a quinsy.
When tonsils become so enlarged that a child's voice changes, it is called "hot potato" voice. This is one sign that the tonsils should be removed.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tonsillitis?
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. It may develop either suddenly or gradually. It may be either mild or severe.
Your child may:
.Find that it hurts to swallow. If the pain is intense, the child may stop swallowing saliva and start to drool.
.Complain of an earache
.Have a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
.Complain of a headache.
.Complain of a stomachache (this is quite common).
.Complain of general aches and pains, loss of appetite and may vomit.
.Have bad smelling breath.
.Because the tonsils are swollen and enlarged, the child may have trouble speaking and may even experience difficulty breathing.
.Find that it hurts to swallow. If the pain is intense, the child may stop swallowing saliva and start to drool.
.Complain of an earache
.Have a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
.Complain of a headache.
.Complain of a stomachache (this is quite common).
.Complain of general aches and pains, loss of appetite and may vomit.
.Have bad smelling breath.
.Because the tonsils are swollen and enlarged, the child may have trouble speaking and may even experience difficulty breathing.
What Does Tonsillitis Look Like?
When tonsils are infected, they will look redder than usual and swollen.
A grayish-white or yellowish coating may cover part or all of the tonsils.
The surrounding area of the throat near the tonsils also may appear red and inflamed. There may be swelling at the sides of the neck as the lymph nodes grow larger while producing cells to fight the infection.
When tonsils are infected, they will look redder than usual and swollen.
A grayish-white or yellowish coating may cover part or all of the tonsils.
The surrounding area of the throat near the tonsils also may appear red and inflamed. There may be swelling at the sides of the neck as the lymph nodes grow larger while producing cells to fight the infection.
Is Tonsillitis Ever Serious?
Tonsillitis can occasionally become serious. For example, infection may spread beyond the tonsil to form an abscess , which is a localized collection of pus.
An abscess that forms around an inflamed tonsil is known as a peritonsillar abscess or quinsy. This almost always develops on one side only, and usually in adults rather than children.
Another type of abscess, one that develops mainly in young children, is a retropharyngeal (behind the throat) abscess . This usually causes high fever and great difficulty in swallowing. If detected very early, peritonsillar or retropharyngeal abscesses can sometimes be treated successfully with antibiotics. In most cases, however, surgery is required to drain the abscess.
Another type of abscess, one that develops mainly in young children, is a retropharyngeal (behind the throat) abscess . This usually causes high fever and great difficulty in swallowing. If detected very early, peritonsillar or retropharyngeal abscesses can sometimes be treated successfully with antibiotics. In most cases, however, surgery is required to drain the abscess.
Other Possible Complications
The most serious complication of tonsillitis is rheumatic fever, which often is accompanied by rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever develops only if the tonsillitis is due to a type of bacterium known as group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. It also usually occurs only in children who have had repeated infections that have not been adequately treated with antibiotics.
Another complication of streptococcal tonsillitis is a type of kidney disease known as acute glomerulonephritis. However, whether glomerulonephritis can be prevented by early antibiotic treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis is not clear.
The most serious complication of tonsillitis is rheumatic fever, which often is accompanied by rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever develops only if the tonsillitis is due to a type of bacterium known as group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. It also usually occurs only in children who have had repeated infections that have not been adequately treated with antibiotics.
Another complication of streptococcal tonsillitis is a type of kidney disease known as acute glomerulonephritis. However, whether glomerulonephritis can be prevented by early antibiotic treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis is not clear.
A common complication of tonsillitis is infection of the lymph nodes in the neck, known as cervical adenitis. This type of infection can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics. Occasionally the infection progresses, an abscess forms, and surgery is required to drain it.
Other possible complications of tonsillitis include middle-ear infections (otitis media) and sinus infections. More often, however, these infections develop at the same time as, or independently of, tonsillitis.
How Is Tonsillitis Treated?
Treatment of tonsillitis aims to relieve its symptoms. Surgery is very rarely required.
It is not always necessary to identify the exact cause of tonsillitis before beginning treatment, but it generally is advisable to at least determine whether the infection is due to streptococcal bacteria, so that appropriate treatment can be started. A "rapid strep" test is now available. If the test is positive, it is almost certain that your child's tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria. If the test is negative, a traditional laboratory culture will be needed.
Other possible complications of tonsillitis include middle-ear infections (otitis media) and sinus infections. More often, however, these infections develop at the same time as, or independently of, tonsillitis.
How Is Tonsillitis Treated?
Treatment of tonsillitis aims to relieve its symptoms. Surgery is very rarely required.
It is not always necessary to identify the exact cause of tonsillitis before beginning treatment, but it generally is advisable to at least determine whether the infection is due to streptococcal bacteria, so that appropriate treatment can be started. A "rapid strep" test is now available. If the test is positive, it is almost certain that your child's tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria. If the test is negative, a traditional laboratory culture will be needed.
Tonsillitis caused by streptococcus bacteria must be treated with penicillin or other suitable antibiotics in order to prevent the development of rheumatic fever. Penicillin is the best drug to use, unless your child has an allergy to it. It should be given by mouth for at least 10 days. Taking penicillin for shorter time periods may not completely clear up the infection.
Alternatively, a single intramuscular injection of long-acting penicillin can be given, but this is relatively painful. For children who are allergic to penicillin, other suitable antibiotics are available.
Alternatively, a single intramuscular injection of long-acting penicillin can be given, but this is relatively painful. For children who are allergic to penicillin, other suitable antibiotics are available.
Tonsillitis due to viruses, like other infections due to viruses, does not respond to any currently known antibiotics.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may relieve sore throat and other symptoms of tonsillitis. Aspirin is best avoided in children of any age because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Tonsillitis may sometimes be due to other types of bacteria that also may respond to antibiotic treatment. Judgments about such treatment should be left to your doctor.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may relieve sore throat and other symptoms of tonsillitis. Aspirin is best avoided in children of any age because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Tonsillitis may sometimes be due to other types of bacteria that also may respond to antibiotic treatment. Judgments about such treatment should be left to your doctor.
taken from ehealthMD.com
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