Tonsillitis

What is Tonsillitis?

The tonsils are normal structures located on each side of the back of the throat. Tonsils form a part of the immune system and produce antibodies to fight germs that attack the mouth. The tonsils can become infected and, therefore, can enlarge, causing a condition called Tonsillitis. There are two types of tonsillitis:

Acute tonsillitis, which refers to the occasional tonsil infection
Recurrent tonsillitis, which refers to recurring tonsil infections

1Causes

Causes

Viral infection is the main cause of tonsillitis. Infection with streptococcus bacterium can also cause tonsillitis, a condition commonly known as strep throat or a throat infection.

2Symptoms

Symptoms

Abdominal pain in children
Difficulty and pain when swallowing
Fever and chills
Headache
Loss of voice
Sore throat
Swollen lymph glands at the jaws and neck
White spots of pus on the tonsils

3Treatment

Treatment

The treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause and the severity of the condition. Your doctor will perform a throat swab to check for streptococcal bacteria, or a complete blood cell count to determine the cause of the infection. Depending on the results of your tests, your doctor will recommend the treatment that suits you best:

If your tonsillitis is caused by a virus, appropriate home-care is sufficient to treat your condition.
If your tonsillitis is caused by a bacteria, your will be prescribed antibiotics. These may be given through injection if your child has difficulty swallowing due to tonsillitis
Tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of the tonsils, may be recommended for children who suffer from recurrent tonsillitis and do not respond to other treatment options.