TONSILLITIS
BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Inflammation of the tonsils (lymph glands that are located at the back of the throat).
Tonsils are small at birth, enlarge during childhood, and become smaller at puberty.
Tonsils normally help prevent infection in the sinuses, mouth and throat from spreading to
other body parts. Tonsillitis is contagious. It affects all ages, but most common in
children between ages 5 and 10.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Throat pain, either mild or severe. Swallowing difficulty. Chills and fever as high
as 104°F (40°C) or more. Swollen lymph glands on either side of the jaw. Headache.
Ear pain. Cough (sometimes). Vomiting (sometimes). Very young child refuses to eat.
CAUSES
Bacterial (usually streptococcal) or viral infection of the tonsils.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Crowded living conditions (military recruits). Exposure to others in public places.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Avoid exposure to people with upper-respiratory infections.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Usually spontaneous recovery. Symptoms generally begin to improve in 2 to 3 days, but
treatment may last longer. If attacks of tonsillitis are so severe and frequent that they
affect one's general health or interfere with schooling, hearing or breathing, surgery to
remove the tonsils may be recommended. A tonsillectomy involves small risk, but the risk
increases with age.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Abscess of the tonsils and nearby throat area, requiring surgery to drain. Chronic
tonsillitis, with a recurrent sore throat and greatly enlarged tonsils, caused by repeated
attacks. Rheumatic fever, if the bacterial infection is streptococcal and it is not
treated with antibiotics, or if antibiotics are discontinued before 10 days.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Diagnostic tests may include throat culture. Family members should be cultured also, so
that carriers can be treated at the same time. Treatment is usually with antibiotics and
self-care. Surgery to remove the tonsils for repeated acute tonsillitis, or for chronic
tonsillitis. Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to relieve throat irritation and
cough. Clean humidifier daily. Prepare a soothing tea or other gargle. Double the usual
strength of the tea. This may be gargled warm or cold as often as is soothing.
MEDICATION
If the tonsillitis is caused by a streptococcal infection, take prescribed penicillin or
other antibiotics for at least 10 days. To relieve pain, you may use acetaminophen.
ACTIVITY
Keep the patient away from others until fever, pain and other symptoms disappear. Bed
rest, except to use the bathroom, is necessary until fever subsides. Normal activity may
be resumed when temperature has been normal for 2 or 3 days.
DIET
Increase all fluid intake. While the throat is very sore, use liquid nourishment,
such as milk shakes, soups, and high protein fluids (diet or instant-breakfast milk
drinks).
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
You or a family member has symptoms of tonsillitis. If there is any difficulty
breathing, call immediately. Symptoms worsen or The following occur during treatment:
Temperature is normal for 1 or 2 days, then fever returns. New symptoms begin, such as
nausea, vomiting, skin rash, thick nasal drainage, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
There is convulsion. Joints become red or painful. Cough produces a discolored (green,
yellow, brown or bloody) sputum. |
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