Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis




Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the glands of the throat, which results in a sore throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Most cases of tonsillitis go away without antibiotic medication.


Tonsillitis Causes




Whether viral or bacterial, tonsillitis is transmitted most commonly from one person to another by social contact such as droplets in the air from sneezing. Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection.


Bacterial tonsillitis can be caused by Streptococcus pyogenes-the organism that causes strep throat. If left untreated, strep throat may lead to a more serious condition called rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart several years later.


Only about 30% of tonsillitis in children is caused by strep throat.


Only 10% of tonsillitis in adults is caused by strep throat.




Tonsillitis Symptoms


Sore throat


Difficulty feeding (in babies)


Pain with swallowing


Fever


Headache


Abdominal pain


Nausea and vomiting


Cough


Hoarseness


Runny nose


Redness of the tonsils and throat


Tenderness in the glands of the neck (swollen lymph glands)


White patches on the tonsils


Redness of the eyes


Rash


Ear pain (nerves that go to the back of the throat also go to the ear)


Tonsillitis Treatment


Self-Care at Home


Throat pain and fever may be improved with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, for example) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).


Ease sore throat pain by gargling frequently with warm salt water (8 ounces of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt).


Drink plenty of clear liquids to avoid dehydration.


Medical Treatment


Because most sore throats are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not routinely needed. However, penicillin is the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics.


The medication may be given as a single-dose injection (a shot) or may be provided as a prescription for oral antibiotics (pills taken by mouth).


People who are allergic to penicillin may be treated with erythromycin. Treatment with oral antibiotics may be provided for 10-14 days.


It is important to complete all the pills prescribed, even if symptoms go away and you feel better. Completion of the full ourse of antibiotics prevents the serious complication of rheumatic fever that may result in a form of heart disease.


Throat pain and fever may be improved with medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.


It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.


Gargling with warm salt water (8 ounces of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt) will ease sore throat pain. Gargle several times a day.


Prevention


Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria that cause tonsillitis.


Avoid prolonged contact with people with strep throat until 24 hours after antibiotics are started.

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