Tonsillitis: Causes and Treatment

Today we are looking at a common condition as in tonsillitis this is an inflammation or infection of the tonsils, which are two small pads of tissue at the back of the throat. It is common in children and teenagers, but adults can also get it. Tonsillitis often causes a sore throat, swollen tonsils, fever, and pain when swallowing.

My eldest daughter Kathy-Lee suffered from this a lot as a child and  into her teens.

The most common cause of tonsillitis is a viral infection, such as the viruses that cause colds or flu. Bacterial infections can also cause tonsillitis, especially group A streptococcus, which is the bacteria linked with strep throat. Tonsillitis can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares utensils, because the germs that cause it can be contagious.

The symptoms are

Sore throat or scratchy throat

Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white or yellow patches

Fever

Pain or difficulty swallowing

Swollen glands in the neck

Bad breath, headache, or tiredness

The treatment depends on whether the tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral tonsillitis usually gets better with rest, fluids, and comfort care, because antibiotics do not work against viruses. Helpful home care can include drinking plenty of water, resting, using warm saltwater gargles if old enough to gargle safely, eating soft foods, and using pain relief medicine as directed by a healthcare professional.

If it’s caused by bacteria, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important to take the full course exactly as prescribed, even if symptoms improve earlier. In people who get tonsillitis very often, or when it causes serious problems such as breathing or swallowing difficulties, a doctor may discuss removing the tonsils in an operation called a tonsillectomy.

Tonsils are usually removed only when tonsillitis keeps coming back often or causes serious problems. A doctor may consider a tonsillectomy if someone has repeated infections, such as several bad episodes in one year, or recurring infections over a few years. It may also be considered if enlarged tonsils cause breathing problems, sleep problems, severe swallowing difficulty, or repeated abscesses around the tonsils. For many people, especially children, doctors try medicines and home care first because tonsil removal is surgery and needs recovery time.

However, even though my daughter was suffering from tonsillitis every two or three months, for years they would not remove them, this may have been because even though she was in pain she wasn’t one to complain about it.

When I was 5yrs old I had my tonsillitis and adenoids removed.