Tonsils are part of the immune system that helps prevent the human body from getting an infection. They are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of the throat. Tonsillitis is the name of the condition when tonsils get infected. It is often uncomfortable and unpleasant, however, rarely a major health threat.
Tonsillitis is of three types:
Acute tonsillitis: In this case, the Symptoms usually get cured within 3 – 4 days. In rare cases, it may even continue for 2 weeks.
Recurrent tonsillitis: This is the condition in which one experiences frequent tonsillitis.
Chronic tonsillitis: This is the condition in which one experiences infections in their tonsils for a long time.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- A sore throat and pain while swallowing food and water
- Red and swollen tonsils, in severe cases filled with pus spots
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain in ears and neck
- Coughing
- Swollen lymph glands
- Difficulty in sleeping and chills
Some of the less common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain and vomiting
- Nausea
- Furry tongue
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Changes in one’s voice
Causes
Tonsils are the first line of defense in the human immune system. Due to this tonsils are vulnerable to infections and inflammations. Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by infection of bacteria or some common virus. Streptococcus Pyogenes (group A streptococcus) is one of the most common bacteria causing tonsillitis, however, other strains of streptococcus may cause tonsillitis.
However, after puberty, the tonsils’ immune system function goes down. Hence there are few cases of tonsillitis in adults.
Treatment
Tonsillitis is usually caused due to infections from different bacteria and viruses. The germs that result in viral and bacterial tonsillitis are transferable, hence, maintaining good hygiene is a good prevention mechanism.
It would help to often:
- Wash hands after using toilets and before eating
- Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles or other utensils
- Replace toothbrushes once diagnosed with tonsillitis
In some of the chronic and recurrent tonsillitis cases, a surgical procedure called tonsillectomy may be a treatment option.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tonsillitis-symptoms-causes-and-treatments#1
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156497.php#pictures
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378479
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