Health talk: What is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the two oval-shaped pads of tissues at the back of the throat. Simply, the inflammation of the tonsils. This is usually caused by a viral infection (common cold) but can also be from bacteria.

WHAT ARE TONSILS?

Tonsils are the two lymph node located on each side at the back of the throat. They serve as defense mechanisms and help prevent the body from infection by oral ingestion.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

This infection is classified into two types depending on the symptoms and re-occurrence rate during a short period.

TYPES OF TONSILLITIS.

1. ACUTE TONSILLITIS: Tonsillitis is said to be acute if symptoms persist for more than ten days. Symptoms of this category are usually treated with home remedies; the use of lozenges, salt water gargle, tea with honey, antibiotics and analgesics, etc.
2. CHRONIC TONSILLITIS: occurs when symptoms re-occur severely during the month/year. This produces tonsil stones — A condition where materials like dead cells, saliva, and food build up in the crevices of your tonsils. This is also referred to as recurrent tonsillitis. The approved method of treatment of this type is TONSILLECTOMY. Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of affected tonsils.

Photo by Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash

CAUSES AND SPREAD TONSILLITIS.

Tonsillitis is caused by a micro-organism called streptococcal bacteria, which causes strep throat and severe complications if not adequately treated. It can be spread by airborne respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes) and saliva (shared cutlery, drinks, or kissing). It often requires a lab test/ imaging/medical diagnosis to know the causative micro-organism.

SYMPTOMS AND OCCURRENCE.

Symptoms include sore throat, difficulty swallowing and swollen lymph nodes, fever, bad breath, chills, ear ache, stomach ache, headache, stiff neck, tonsils with white or yellow spots, increased irritability, poor appetite, and drooling in toddlers. Most symptoms should be cured within the first seven to ten days but visit a physician if symptoms persist after ten days. It is a very common case globally, with more than one hundred thousand cases annually. This occurs at any age; it is a common childhood illness in kids from preschool through their teens.

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash

TREATMENT

This can be done in three distinct ways.

1. Home remedy.

a) Tea with honey.

b) Salt water gargle.

c) Throat lozenge, etc.

2. Medication.

a) Anti-biotics.

b) Analgesics.

c) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.

3. Surgery — Tonsillectomy.