Tonsilitis

Tonsillitis is infection of the small glands that are present at the back of the throat located behind the tongue. The main indication of tonsillitis is a sore throat this can also be coupled with fever, coughs and headaches. Generally a tonsil clears up by itself after a couple of days, but in some severe or recurring case the tonsil has to be removed by a process called tonsillectomy. It can be caused by virus or bacteria and generally affects people in the age group of 5-15, but it can also affect older people. It is also contagious and can spread through nasal or throat fluids this involves hand contact, saliva or airborne droplets. Incubation period is within 2-4 days.

Symptoms are red or swollen tonsils, pain upon swallowing, fever, tiredness, coughing, headaches, pain in the ears and neck, white spots filled with pus on the tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes inside the neck.

Other symptoms that are not so common are vomiting, constipation, ‘Furry’ tongue, bad breath, difficulty in opening the mouth.

Children may also complain of stomach ache caused due to swelling of lymph nodes. If bacterium is the cause for this condition you may also develop rashes on the skin and have a flushed face.

CAUSES

The most common cause for this condition is virus but there are also cases in which the cause happens to be bacteria. The viruses often affect the respiratory system. These viruses include the parainfluenza virus, flu (influenza) virus and the enterovirus, the adenovirus, and the rhinovirus. Bacterial tonsillitis is usually caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria. In the past bacterial infections like diphtheria and scarlet fever are known to have caused tonsillitis. These days this is not seen commonly due to improved treatments and immunisations.

DIAGNOSIS

The general physician would ask for the symptoms faced by the person affected and upon examination will determine whether the condition is viral or bacterial. Sometimes the sample is taken using a cotton swab and sent to the labs for testing. The samples are taken only in extreme cases where the previous treatment has failed or in cases where the person is suffering from damage to the immune system. Sometimes a blood test might also be needed to check the blood count or a monotest is done to check for the glandular fever.

TREATMENT

Self Help: drinking plenty of water and eating properly can reduce the risk of developing symptoms like headaches and fevers. Getting plenty of rest is of prime importance. Painkillers and antibiotics help ease the symptoms most of the times, but if the condition is severe surgery is suggested. Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease fever, headache and pain. If you have a history of indigestion, stomach ulcers, kidney disease or asthma it is not advisable to take ibuprofen. Even in pregnancy it’s not advisable to take ibuprofen; paracetamol can be taken under the guidance of the general physician.

PREVENTION

Keeping a high level of hygiene and not sharing tooth brush and food utensils with the person who is affected.