Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which can cause symptoms such as a sore throat, swollen lymph glands and fatigue.
Everyone has two tonsils located at the back of their throat, one on each side, which look like almond-shaped buds. They are a type of lymph gland and are part of the immune system of the body that makes antibodies and lymphocytes, which work to protect you from infections that enter the mouth.
However, sometimes the tonsils can become infected, which can be very painful. Either a virus or bacteria can be responsible for the infection, although viruses are the more common cause and bacteria is to only blame in about 15% of cases.
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis causes the tonsils to become red, swollen and painful. You may also be able to see some white or yellow pus on the tonsils. Symptoms of tonsillitis may include:
- Sore throat
- Painful swallowing
- White or yellow spots on the tonsils
- Bad breath
- Swollen lymph glands in the neck under the jaw
- Tiredness
- Reduced appetite
- Muscle aches
- Fever
Why worry about tonsillitis?
Most people who get tonsillitis will get better after several days without the need for treatment. However, tonsillitis can sometimes cause complications such as:
- Chronic or recurrent tonsillitis that doesn’t clear up or keeps coming back
- Spread of infection to nose, sinuses or ears
- A painful type of throat abscess, known as quinsy
- Glue ear in children when the thin tube in the middle ear becomes blocked and interferes with hearing
- Rheumatic fever, particularly when it caused by Streptococcus bacteria
Home Management for Tonsillitis
If you or your child has tonsillitis, there are several things that you can do at home to help ease the pain and other symptoms of the infection.
It’s likely that you may feel more tired than usual, so try to allow your body time to rest and recover, especially if you have a fever. Some people are still able to go about their daily activities as usual, but the key is to listen to your body.
The pain in your throat can often make it difficult for you eat the food you normally do. You may find it helpful to consume mainly fluids, such as cool drinks and milkshakes. Many people also find sucking on ice blocks comforting. On the other hand, it is best to avoid very hot food and drink because this can make the pain worse.
Additionally, try to avoid smoking while you have tonsillitis if you are a smoker because this can worsen the infection.
Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used to relieve pain, which are available at your local pharmacy. Paracetamol can also help to lower fever if you have a high temperature.
If you’d like help finding the best fever and pain relief for tonsillitis, please feel free to drop by and ask us at Inverell Pharmacy.
When should you see a doctor?
Although viruses cause most cases of tonsillitis, bacteria can sometimes be to blame and antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection. In this case, your doctor can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to help eradicate the infection.
It can be difficult to know for sure if the tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacteria just by looking at the tonsils. You doctor may take a swap from the tonsils for testing to make sure.
If you are taking antibiotics, the symptoms of tonsillitis usually get better within 2-3 days of starting treatment. However, it is important for you to continue taking the full course of antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed (usually 10 days) to ensure that the infection is completely gone. With shorter treatment, it is possible for it to come back and cause Rheumatic fever or an infection in another part of your body, such as the kidneys.
When is a tonsillectomy recommended?
Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which may be recommended for people who have chronic tonsillitis or several severe attacks within a year.
However, the tonsils are a part of the immune system of the body and they play an important role for the body protecting against infection. This is why tonsillectomy is kept as a last resort option for people who have frequent attacks of tonsillitis.
It is considered normal for young children between the ages of 4 and 7 to experience frequent attacks of tonsillitis. In this time, the tonsils are often large in proportion to the throat and the child has not yet built up a strong immune defense against the viruses that can cause tonsillitis.
Fortunately, the attacks usually occur less often as the child grows up and their immune system becomes stronger. For this reason, tonsillectomy is not usually recommended in young children, unless there are exceptional circumstances with frequent or severe attacks.
What to know more?
If you’d like to know more about tonsillitis and how it can be treated, we’ll be happy to help you at Inverell Pharmacy. Simply stop by for a chat with one of our pharmacists for more information, or give us a call on 6722 3146.
Inverell Pharmacy – your locally owned and operated pharmacy