Tonsillitis Cause, Symptoms, and Treatment

Tonsillitis is caused by infection inflammation of your tonsils. Tonsils are two 'guard posts' at either side of the back of your throat. These posts are armed with immune white blood cells that fight infection in the mouth and nose area before it gets deeper into your body. Tonsillitis is inflammation of these structures and it's quite painful as the tonsils swell and get very sore in the process.

Picture of Tonsillitis:

Tonsillitis is most common in spring and winter during flu season and occurs most often in kids younger than 10.

The vast majority of bugs that cause tonsillitis are viruses spread in droplets from sneezes and coughing. The other common cause of tonsillitis is a bacteria called streptococcus i.e. "strep throat". Viral tonsillitis tends to have less throat soreness, lower fever, and more associated features like cough, muscle aches, and runny nose. Strep throat tends to be sore enough to make swallowing difficult, with high fevers >38 celcius, and symptoms restricted to the throat. Doctors can tell between the two by running a throat culture - cotton tipped swab of the tonsil sent to the lab.

Tonsillitis Symptoms:

• Very sore throat
• Painful to swallow
• Earache
• Headache
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Swollen painful glands in your neck called lymph nodes.

Treatment of Tonsillitis:

• Voice Rest
• Keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluid
• Paracetamol in kids / aspirin in adults, sucked for pain and fever
• Antibiotics for 7 days from your doctor.

Generally that's all that's needed. But in some cases one attack of tonsillitis is followed by another and another. In these frequent cases (over 5 a year) the overactive tonsils may be surgically removed under general anesthesia by an ear nose and throat specialist for permanent relief. The other case is where tonsillitis is so severe it forms a tonsillar abscess that must be drained called a Quincy. This is performed by an ENT surgeon too.

A danger sign in kids with tonsillitis is total refusal of food and drooling. This suggests kissing tonsils which are blocking their throat. If noted they should be seen by your doctor for assessment.

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