Tonsils, which are made up of tissues are located at the back of your throat. Tonsils are a part of the lymphatic system, which helps prevent and fight against infections. When tonsils become infected, the condition is called tonsillitis. In this article, we will talk about what causes tonsillitis, what are its symptoms, and how to treat it.
Tonsillitis occurs when there is an inflammation of the tonsils either caused by a bacteria or virus. Streptococcus pyogenes, a type of bacterium is the most common cause of tonsillitis that causes strep throat. Tonsillitis is also caused by a virus that causes common cold, however, other viruses such as rhinovirus, HIV, hepatitis A and Epstein-Barr virus also cause tonsillitis. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is common among children aged between 5-15 [2]
Types Of Tonsillitis
Acute tonsillitis – This type of tonsillitis can either be caused by a bacteria or virus and the symptoms usually stay till 3-4 days or sometimes up to two weeks.
Recurrent tonsillitis – When tonsillitis occurs several times in a year [3] Chronic tonsillitis – This type of tonsillitis is long-term, which causes symptoms like sore throat and foul-smelling breath [4]
Symptoms Of Tonsillitis
Red, swollen tonsils
Sore throat
Fever
Difficulty in swallowing
Headache
Coughing
Ear and neck pain
Difficulty in sleeping
Chills
Swollen lymph glands
A white or yellow coating on your tonsils
Stiff neck
Diagnosis Of Tonsillitis
Diagnosis is done by physically examining your throat to check if there are swollen glands or a rash. The doctor may then take a throat culture by running a cotton swab at the back of your throat and will be sent for examination. Your doctor may then take a blood test to check whether a virus or bacteria caused your tonsillitis.
Treatment Of Tonsillitis
Medications
If tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. It will help relieve your symptoms and will aid in faster recovery. Penicillin, an antibiotic is usually prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe other antibiotics.
Surgery
If tonsillitis is not getting cured with the help of antibiotics, then surgery is recommended to remove the tonsils, which is called tonsillectomy. It is generally recommended for recurrent or chronic tonsillitis and when the symptoms are not going away. Tonsillectomy is also performed when you have breathing difficulty, obstructive sleep apnea, and swallowing difficulty. The recovery after surgery usually takes one to two weeks. Tonsillectomy lowers the overall risk of developing a strep throat.