REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The tonsils are two oval-shaped masses of tissue located at the back of the throat. The tonsils function as part of the immune system to help identify and fight infections.
When the tonsils become swollen, this often indicates an infection, known as tonsillitis. Often, the terms “swollen tonsils” and “tonsillitis” can be used interchangeably.
Reported Very Well Health on Tuesday (3/10/2023), swollen and infected tonsils can cause the following symptoms:
– Pain or itching in the throat (pain may be localized on the side of the neck).
– Difficulty swallowing.
– Swelling in the throat.
– Irritation in the throat.
– Redness of the throat/tonsils.
– Small boils or sores on the tonsils.
– Hoarseness or loss of voice.
– Pain when talking.
– Difficulty breathing.
– Grayish yellow or white spots on the throat/tonsils.
– Ear pain.
– Bad breath.
– Nausea or vomiting.
– Headache.
– Fever/chills.
– Fatigue.
– Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
In babies and young children with tonsillitis, additional symptoms may include refusal to eat, excessive drooling (due to difficulty swallowing), being fussy or tired, and difficulty breathing. The terms “swelling” and “enlargement” indicate the tonsils are larger than their normal size. Although often used interchangeably, there are important differences in terminology:
– Swollen tonsils: Inflammation and infection of the tonsils occurs.
– Enlarged tonsils: Tonsils are larger than their normal size for reasons other than infection.
Swollen tonsils are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral infections are the most common cause of swollen tonsils. Some viruses that can cause swollen tonsils include adenovirus (causing colds, bronchitis, and other conditions), Epstein-Barr virus (causing mononucleosis), herpes simplex virus (can cause cold sores on the lips and sores on the tonsils), and the measles virus which affects the respiratory tract.
Sore throat (caused by the bacteria Streptococcus, also known as strep) is a common cause of bacterial tonsillitis. About 15-30 percent of tonsillitis cases are caused by bacterial infections. Tonsillitis caused by viruses is more common in children, while that caused by bacteria is more common in children and adolescents aged 5–15 years. Tonsillitis is rare in adults.
Treatment for swollen tonsils depends on the cause of the infection and the severity of the symptoms. Swollen tonsils may not require medical treatment.
Health care providers may choose to follow a “wait and see” approach to see if the body can overcome the infection naturally. Although medical treatment may not be necessary, you can do some things at home to feel better, such as staying hydrated, eating soft foods, getting enough rest, gargling with warm salt water, and using a humidifier.
Bacterial tonsillitis infections can be treated with antibiotics. It’s important to follow all antibiotic prescriptions even if you feel better.
This helps prevent reinfection, spreading the infection to other people, or serious complications such as rheumatic fever. Medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) can help reduce fever and manage pain or discomfort from swollen tonsils.
Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is the last treatment option for swollen tonsils. Tonsillectomy may be recommended in some cases, such as if there have been a number of tonsillitis episodes over a period of time or if symptoms have not responded to other treatments. This procedure usually takes about 20-30 minutes and can be done as an outpatient procedure.
Although tonsillitis usually resolves on its own or with treatment, in some cases complications can arise. These can include chronic tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess (a collection of pus that requires draining), and tonsillitis along with adenoiditis (an infection of the tonsils and adenoids that can cause serious complications if left untreated).
2023-10-03 14:54:17
#Boy #dies #tonsillectomy #symptoms #tonsil #pain #Republica #Online
