Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils due to infection, affects more than a million children and adults each year. The vast majority of cases occur in children between the ages of 5 and 15. Tonsillitis is a contagious disease that is transmitted in the same way as a cold or flu: by coming into contact with a contaminated surface or the germs of an infected person through sneezing or coughing.
The tonsils, along with the adenoids, are part of the lymphatic system and together these glands protect us from inhaled and ingested pollutants. Sometimes, however, the glands themselves become infected with viruses or bacteria.
Symptoms of tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can cause many symptoms the same or similar to other ear, nose, and throat conditions (eg, strep throat, ear infections, the common cold, etc.). These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the tonsils or lymph nodes.
- Sudden, unexplained earache
- Sore throat with a fever of 101 or higher
- Unexplained coughing fits
The vast majority of tonsillitis symptoms simply cause discomfort, and the condition itself is rarely serious. Complications of bacterial tonsillitis (tonsillitis caused by bacteria) can, in some cases, lead to more serious threats such as peritonsillar abscess, glomerulonephritis, or rheumatic fever, to name a few.
Treatment of tonsillitis
Treatment of tonsillitis largely depends on factors such as the age of the individual with the disease, the severity of the condition, and the cause, whether bacterial or viral. There is no standard treatment for tonsillitis. Many of the measures taken during treatment will be aimed at alleviating symptoms of discomfort: sore throat, headache, fever, earache, etc.
Whether the infection is caused by bacteria or a virus, the body’s immune system will generally clear the infection within four to seven days. If the infection is bacterial in nature, a 10-day course of an antibiotic such as penicillin, erythromycin, or roxithromycin may be prescribed to clear the infection. Because antibiotics can cause unpleasant side effects like stomach pain, rash, or diarrhea; And because their use poses some risk of developing bacteria resistant to antibiotics, they will not always be prescribed for children. Because of this potential risk, antibiotics should always be taken exactly as prescribed throughout treatment, regardless of how you or your child feels.
Other than antibiotic treatment, palliative measures would likely be the same for a bacterial or viral infection, and may include the following:
- Make sure children have plenty of soothing fluids and soft foods to prevent dehydration and make swallowing easier.
- Using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (especially for children), lozenges, and oral sprays to fight a sore throat.
- Gargle with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of water) or a mild antiseptic solution
- The use of humidifiers or vaporizers.
Age-related precautions to observe include giving certain over-the-counter medications to children under 16 years of age. In general, aspirin should not be given during this time due to the possibility of contracting Reyes syndrome, which can be fatal. Also be careful when giving children over-the-counter cold medicine or pain relievers, as dosages need to be appropriate for age and sometimes weight. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before administering these medications.
Tonsil stones
A common consequence of tonsillitis is the development of tonsilloliths, tonsil stones, as they are commonly called. Although the exact mechanism of their formation is often debated, tonsil stones develop in an environment that includes bacterial infections, food particles, mucous membranes, and other inhaled or ingested contaminants. These particles become trapped in the folds and crevices of the tonsils and calcify, forming small whitish stones. Bacterial action on food particles produces sulfur by-products that are responsible for the bad breath (halitosis) that often accompanies tonsil stones.
Treatment of tonsil stones
Although they are harmless in and of themselves, tonsil stones can be problematic on several levels. Their presence causes halitosis and a bad taste in the mouth and, as they grow in size and number, they can cause physical discomfort. Because tonsil stones are the result of infection, good oral hygiene is the first place to start treatment or prevention.
There are many home remedies to treat tonsil stones. These treatments focus on counteracting the symptoms of tonsil stones or on removing the stones themselves. A good part of the treatment consists of fighting the bad breath that surrounds the stones in the tonsils. There are numerous products on the market that offer help in this area, including oral sprays, lozenges, special oxygenated toothpastes, grape seed extract, oral antiseptics, tonsil stone “kits”, postnasal drip prevention products, and even gargle with salt. Water. Again, the goal is to eliminate as many infectious agents as possible and promote a clean and healthy oral cavity.
Tonsil stone removal is often performed by professionals and individuals at home. If stones are a recurring problem or their size presents a problem, you can choose to remove them. DIY methods of removing tonsil stones usually involve the use of implements such as long cotton swabs or water spikes (oral irrigators) to manually remove tonsil formations. Working in a confined space and dealing with gag reflex are obstacles to this method, although many successfully remove stones this way.
If your tonsillitis is severe enough or recurs more than four times a year, you may choose to have your tonsils removed. Obviously, this represents a permanent solution to the problem of tonsil stones. However, your tonsils perform important immune functions and it would be best to keep them as long as possible. Most tonsil stones will clear up with tonsillitis infections and do not need to be physically removed.