What is it
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, oval-shaped glands present in the oral cavity, just behind the palate, at the bottom of the throat.
In addition to the visible ones, there are others positioned at the level of the pharynx, Eustachian tubes and behind the tongue; From the anatomical point of view, a distinction is made between palatine tonsils, located at the bottom of the throat, adenoid tonsils and lingual tonsil.
Tonsillitis can be more or less acute, and usually occurs together with inflammation of the pharynx, colds and flu, as well as otitis or other rarer infections such as glomerulonephritis; It occurs mainly in winter, with episodes of fever, pain and hoarseness, and often strikes during childhood.
Causes
Usually inflammation is determined by the presence of microorganisms. In particular, the responsible for most infections are streptococci, staphylococci and influenza viruses.
Whether streptococcus or viruses, the infection causes the tonsils to grow in volume and makes them sore and red. Sometimes exudate may also appear.
It is generally in the first years of life that their inflammation can create problems, because the swelling can obstruct the airways creating difficulty breathing.
Common symptoms
When you have inflamed tonsils, your throat is sore and the pain grows when swallowing; You may also feel pain up to the base of the tongue. Young children often do not complain of sore throat, but refuse to eat, especially solid foods, precisely because of discomfort when swallowing.
Generally, the ears are also involved, and there may be a malaise or a general discomfort that involves the whole organism. In addition, tonsillitis is generally accompanied by symptoms common to other diseases and flu syndromes, such as fever, cold, headache, flu and temporary loss of voice; On the visual level, you can notice the tonsils reddened, or covered with a white patina.
In addition to the tonsils, adenoids are also part of the lymphatic system. The inflammation of the latter, however, causes different symptoms. Let’s see them in comparison.
| Tonsillitis symptoms | Adenoiditis symptoms |
|---|---|
| Difficulty swallowing | Breathing difficulties |
| Enlargement and redness of the tonsils | Hearing problems |
| Visible plaques on the mucous membranes that surround them | Sleep apnea |
| Sore throat also severe | Restless sleep |
| Presence of swollen glands in the neck | Noisy breathing |
| Bad breath | Breathing from the mouth |
| Fever | Snoring |
| Nasal voice | |
| Discharge from the nose associated with coughing | |
| Ear infections |
Complications
When tonsil infections recur many times at short distances from each other or when the tonsils are always inflamed even after appropriate medical care, such as following antibiotic treatment appropriate to the type of germ found, complications can be:
- repeated ear infections;
- fatigue of the immune system;
- severe sleep disorders;
- dental abnormalities;
- arrests or delays in growth.
In such cases, if even antibiotic therapy has not proved effective, surgical removal may be indicated; This surgery is usually without further complications, which can permanently rid the airways of tonsillar infections.
Treatment
When you have tonsillitis it is good to rest; It may happen that, in less severe cases, the disorder passes spontaneously. For pain and fever, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually used; However, it is not always necessary to resort to this type of pharmacological treatment, and the decision depends on the doctor’s assessment of individual patients and the presence of any complications.
Drinking plenty of water or warm liquids and keeping the environment humidified can help thin mucus, keep the throat hydrated and relieve burning, as well as reduce the difficulty in swallowing typical of the acute phase of the disease.
When tonsillitis is of bacterial origin, and especially in case of acute tonsillitis, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for 7 or 10 days. Antibiotics help the infection heal quickly and effectively counteract its causes. If in the meantime the temperature should rise too much, the doctor may also recommend taking paracetamol.
Sometimes an oropharyngeal swab is also performed to identify the type of germ present. Such an examination must however be prescribed and performed by a specialist, and it can never be done at home.
When to consult your doctor
If tonsillitis is accompanied by high fever, which lasts more than a couple of days and if the pain is persistent or particularly intense, it is advisable to contact your doctor for a thorough examination, possibly followed by an examination with a special pharyngeal swab. Normally we turn to specialists in the field of otolaryngology for the most serious cases, but commonly it is sufficient to refer to your general practitioner, even for cases that occur in pediatric age.
It is also useful to consult your family doctor to know the rules of proper prevention of tonsillitis, especially for children or for those who are subject to inflammation of viral or bacterial origin of the throat tissues. Prevention, for example, teaches the correct frequency of hand washing, in order to avoid the deposit of germs on the same (and then in the respiratory tract), and other useful rules to avoid the onset of the disease.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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