Tonsillitis – symptoms, types, treatment. Home remedies for tonsillitis

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Tonsillitis is an infectious disease of the pharyngeal lymphatic system. The tonsils are at the back of the throat. These are clusters of lymphoid tissue that form part of the immune system. While tonsillitis can be unpleasant, the condition is rarely a serious health problem. Most people recover within a few days, whether they are on medication or not. Most symptoms resolve within 7-10 days.

Tonsillitis – characteristics of the tonsils

Our tonsils are part of the lymphatic system that is responsible for the elimination of toxins and harmful microorganisms (including viruses and bacteria) from the body. The tonsils work by trapping inhaled particles and delivering them to the lymphatic system for neutralization.

There are three pairs of tonsils in our body.

1. Pharyngeal tonsils, also known as adenoids, located on the roof of the mouth, near where the nose meets the throat;
2. Lingual tonsils located behind the tongue;
3. Palatine tonsils located at the back of the throat.

Tonsillitis occurs when a virus or bacterium enters the mouth or nose and gets trapped by the tonsils. When this happens, the immune system will attack the “invaders” and trigger an inflammatory response, causing fever and swelling.

Tonsillitis is common and most people experience at least one such episode before reaching adulthood and is highly contagious. It is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, but can also occur between the ages of 15 and 25. The risk of developing tonsillitis tends to decrease as a person gets older.

See also: Detoxifying the body – how to cleanse the body of toxins?

Tonsillitis – types

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis in adults and children, accounting for up to 70% of cases. The viruses responsible for this situation include those that cause colds and laryngitis, and the Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for mononucleosis.

When adults develop tonsillitis due to a bacterial infection, the usual culprit is Streptococcus pyogenes (beta-hemolytic streptococcus) responsible for causing angina. The onset is usually more sudden than with viral infections, and people typically don’t have the cough that often accompanies a viral infection.

Tonsillitis is more common in children than in adults, but does not usually affect children under 2 years of age

Tonsillitis is classified into three types, depending on the frequency of occurrence of the inflammation of the tonsils and its duration:

1. acute tonsillitis includes cases where symptoms last from three days to about two weeks.
2. recurrent tonsillitis occurs when a person suffers from multiple episodes of tonsillitis over the course of a year.
3. cases of chronic tonsillitis have symptoms that last more than two weeks.

A peritonsillar abscess occurs when an infection from the tonsils spreads to the tissue in the throat behind the tonsil. Although some sources cite the condition as a type of tonsillitis, it is probably more accurately defined as a complication of improperly treated tonsillitis. Peritonsillar abscess is more common in adolescents and adults than in children.

Tonsillitis – symptoms

Possible symptoms of tonsillitis include:

1. sharp sore throat;
2. difficulty or pain when swallowing;
3. harsh-sounding voice;
4. bad breath (halitosis);
5. fever;
6. chills;
7. earache;
8. stomach pain;
9. headaches;
10. stiff neck;
11. tenderness of the jaw and neck due to swollen lymph nodes;
12. tonsils that appear red and swollen;
13. tonsils with white or yellow spots.

You may also notice increased irritability, poor appetite, or excessive salivation in very young children.

See also: Sore throat when swallowing. What could be the reason?

Acute tonsillitis – symptoms

Tonsillitis is extremely common in children. In fact, almost every child is likely to get tonsillitis at least once.

If symptoms last for about 10 days or less, they are considered acute tonsillitis. If your symptoms last longer, or if your tonsillitis returns multiple times a year, it could be chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Acute tonsillitis is likely to improve with home treatment, but may require other treatments, such as antibiotics, in some cases.

Chronic tonsillitis- symptoms

Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis last longer than acute ones. A sick person may experience prolonged:

1. sore throat;
2. bad breath;
3. tenderness of the lymph nodes in the neck.

Chronic tonsillitis can also cause tonsil stones, when dead cells, saliva, and food build up in the gaps in the tonsil. Eventually they can harden and become small pebbles. These may loosen on their own or may need to be removed by your doctor.

Your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy if you have chronic tonsillitis.

See also: The causes of bad breath

Recurrent tonsillitis – symptoms

As with chronic tonsillitis, the standard treatment for recurrent tonsillitis is a tonsillectomy. Recurrent tonsillitis is often defined as:

1. sore throat or tonsillitis at least 5 to 7 times in 1 year;
2. occurrence at least 5 times in each of the previous 2 years;
3. occurring at least 3 times in each of the last 3 years.

A 2018 study suggests that chronic and recurrent tonsillitis may be caused by biofilms in the tonsil folds. Biofilms are a complex multicellular structure of bacteria (and other organisms) with increased resistance to antibiotics that can cause repeated infections. Genetic background may also cause recurrent tonsillitis.

A 2019 study looked at the tonsils of children who were suffering from recurrent tonsillitis. The study showed that the genetic background may cause a poor immune response to the group A streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat and tonsillitis.

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Tonsillitis – when to see a doctor?

We should see a doctor if we experience the following symptoms:

1. fever higher than 39,5 ° C;
2. muscle weakness;
3. neck numbness;
4. a sore throat that does not go away after 2 days.

In rare cases, tonsillitis can cause the throat to swell so much that it causes breathing problems. If this happens, let’s seek medical attention immediately. While some episodes of tonsillitis are self-limiting, some may require other treatments.

Is tonsillitis contagious?

If we have tonsillitis, we may be contagious for 24 to 48 hours before any symptoms appear. However, we can still spread the disease until it is cured. If we are taking antibiotics for bacterial tonsillitis, we should stop infecting after 24 hours.

We can develop tonsillitis if someone with an infection coughs or sneezes nearby and we inhale the droplets. If we touch a contaminated object such as a door handle and then touch our nose or mouth, we can also get tonsillitis.

Contact with many people increases your risk of exposure to tonsillitis. This is why schoolchildren often get sick. If we have symptoms, it’s best to stay home to avoid the spread of tonsillitis.

Usually, symptoms take 2 to 4 days after exposure to a person with tonsillitis.

See also: Infectious diseases

Tonsillitis – diagnosis

The doctor will perform a physical examination. He will check the tonsils to see if they are red, swollen, or showing signs of suppuration. He will also check if we have a fever. He may look inside the ears and nose for signs of infection and check the sides of the neck for swelling and pain.

Appropriate tests will be needed to find the causes of tonsillitis.

1. Pharyngeal swab. The doctor will check the saliva and cells in the throat for streptococcus bacteria. The test involves dragging a cotton swab over the back of the throat. Results are usually ready in 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes your doctor will also want to perform a lab test that takes several days to complete. If the results are negative, the cause of the tonsillitis is a virus.
2. Blood test (complete blood count). Your doctor will look for high and low blood cells to show if the virus or bacteria caused the tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis – treatment

A mild case of tonsillitis does not necessarily need treatment, especially if it is caused by the virus that causes the common cold. Treatment for more severe cases of tonsillitis may include antibiotics or a tonsillectomy.

If a person becomes dehydrated due to tonsillitis, they may need fluids intravenously. Pain medications to relieve a sore throat can also help heal the throat.

Treatment of tonsillitis – tonsillectomy

The operation to remove the tonsils is called tonsillectomy. It is generally recommended only for people who experience chronic or recurrent tonsillitis, or in cases where the tonsillitis causes complications or symptoms persist.

If we have had tonsillitis or tonsillitis at least 5 to 7 times in the last year, a tonsillectomy may help. Surgery can also relieve breathing or swallowing problems that may result from inflammation of the tonsils.

According to a 2017 study, tonsillectomy may reduce the number of throat infections in children in the first year after surgery. However, a 2018 study found that adults who had their tonsils removed in childhood had an increased risk of respiratory and infectious diseases in the long term.

It is worth adding that tonsillectomy can reduce the overall risk of developing angina. However, after removing the tonsils, we can still get strep throat and other throat infections. It’s also possible for the tonsils to grow back after surgery, but this is relatively rare.

We should be able to go home the same day the surgery took place, but it will take 1-2 weeks for us to fully recover. After the procedure, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. However, it is not advisable to eat and drink dairy products for the first 24 hours. Some people may have a low fever after the procedure and bleed lightly from their nose or mouth for several days.

See also: What is tonsillectomy?

Antibiotics for tonsillitis

If a bacterial infection has caused tonsillitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.

Antibiotics can help your symptoms resolve faster. However, they increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and may have other side effects, such as an upset stomach. Antibiotics are more needed for people who are at risk of complications from tonsillitis.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it will likely be penicillin for group A streptococcal tonsillitis. Other antibiotics are available if you are allergic to penicillin. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics. Even if the symptoms disappear completely, the infection may worsen if you do not take all your medications as prescribed. Our doctor may want to schedule a follow-up visit to make sure the drug has worked effectively.

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Tonsillitis – home remedies

Whether or not we’re prescribed treatment, there are home remedies that can significantly alleviate many of the symptoms of tonsillitis. In addition to using over-the-counter painkillers, try:

1. Drink warm fluids (preferably decaffeinated) such as tea or broth;
2. Drink cold liquids or suck on a stick of ice cream;
3. Suck anesthetic throat lozenges or use a throat spray containing benzocaine;
4. Rinse the throat with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of salt combined with about 200 ml of warm water;
5. Place a cool compress or ice pack around your neck;
6. Use a humidifier with a cool mist;
7. Avoid irritants such as tobacco and smoke.

It’s important to remember that aspirin should be avoided in children with any viral infection because of the increased risk of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain and hepatitis.

See also: Warm and cold fun

Tonsillitis – complications

Remember that most cases of tonsillitis go away on their own without causing long-term problems. However, serious or recurring cases can lead to complications such as otitis media or peritonsillar abscess (formation of a pus-filled pocket near the tonsils). You may also develop scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is more common in children than in adults, but it’s not common.

Although rare, rheumatic fever can occur if angina is not treated or the patient does not complete the full course of antibiotics. Rheumatic fever is more common in children than in adults. It can lead to permanent heart damage.

The tonsils can sometimes become so swollen that they make it difficult to breathe and swallow. This can lead to a more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for a short time while sleeping. This can lead to daytime fatigue, depression, mood swings, and other more serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Obstructive sleep apnea is also the primary indication for tonsillectomy in people with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

See also: The seven worst heart conditions in adults

Tonsillitis – prevention

To reduce the risk of contracting tonsillitis, it is recommended to avoid people who have the disease. If we have tonsillitis, try to stay away from others until we are no longer contagious.

Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing or touching your face, nose or mouth. If we already have to cough or sneeze, let’s do it in a tissue or in the crook of the elbow. Let’s not forget to throw away used tissues immediately.

Remember that we can reduce the risk of developing tonsillitis by taking care of our good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and before touching your face, nose or mouth.

Also, avoid sharing personal items, such as eating utensils, with others – especially if they are sick.

Tonsillitis and bead pharyngitis

In some cases, tonsillitis and pharyngitis can be caused by the same bacteria, but they are not the same.

A wide variety of bacteria or viruses can cause tonsillitis, including Group A streptococcus bacteria. The same bacterium is the only cause of strep throat.

Both states are contagious, so we should try to stay away from other people if we think we have either of them. In addition to the symptoms of tonsillitis, people with strep throat may develop:

1. pain in other parts of the body;
2. nausea;
3. vomiting;
4. small red spots on the back of the mouth;
5. white pus around the tonsils;
6. rash.

Your doctor may use the same tests to diagnose both conditions. Treatment of bacterial tonsillitis and strep throat are also similar.

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