Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which are two oval pads of tissue towards the rear of the throat.
It is most common in children who are between five and fifteen years old. While bacterial tonsillitis is most common in children of that age range, the viral form is more common in younger children.
Tonsillitis of either type rarely affects children under two years old.
Causes
While tonsillitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, most cases are caused by a virus. Bacterial tonsillitis is most often caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is the same bacterium that causes strep throat.
Viral tonsillitis can be caused by any of the following: adenoviruses, enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, or parainfluenza viruses.
Symptoms
A patient with tonsillitis will typically have red and swollen tonsils that may also have white or yellow patches or coating on them. They may also have painful ulcers or blisters on their throat. Other symptoms can include the following: sore throat, tender and enlarged lymph glands in the neck, trouble swallowing, bad breath, ear pain, fever, hoarse or scratchy voice, headache, and stiff neck. Some patients, particularly small children, also develop a stomachache. They may also suffer nausea and vomiting.
Small children who can’t describe their symptoms may show such signs as drooling, fussiness, and refusal to eat.
Parents should call a doctor if their child’s sore throat lasts longer than 48 hours or is accompanied by extreme fatigue, weakness, or fussiness, and difficult or painful swallowing. They should get help immediately if their child has trouble breathing, extreme difficulty swallowing, and is drooling.
Treatment Options
Previously, surgically removing the tonsils was a common treatment for tonsillitis. These days, surgery is considered a last resort. Doctors will now perform surgery only if the patient has recurrent bouts of tonsillitis, has a particularly stubborn case of tonsillitis that won’t respond to other treatments, or if their tonsillitis is accompanied by complications.
Treatment will depend on the type of tonsillitis and its severity. The doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial tonsillitis. Penicillin is the most commonly used antibiotic; the patient will usually take it by mouth for around ten days.
Since antibiotics don’t work on viruses, the doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever.
In both cases, the patient should rest at home. They need to drink plenty of fluids to keep their throat moist. Warm drinks like broth or decaffeinated tea with honey can soothe a sore throat. So can cold treats like popsicles. Older children can use salt water gargles or suck on lozenges to soothe their throat. A humidifier can moisten the air in the patient’s room, for dry air can irritate a throat.
Surgical removal of the tonsils is known as a tonsillectomy. It is an outpatient procedure that is most commonly done on children. At the Nasal & Sinus Surgery Center, the procedure takes between 30 and 45 minutes. For a child, the recovery usually takes between seven and ten days; recovery in an adult will take longer.