Tonsillitis
What are tonsils?
Tonsils are lumps of tissue at the back of the throat. There are two of them, one on each side. Along with the adenoids, tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. Tonsils and adenoids work by trapping the germs coming in through the mouth and nose.
What is tonsillitis?Tonsillitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils. Sometimes along with tonsillitis, the adenoids are also swollen.
What causes tonsillitis?The cause of tonsillitis is usually a viral infection. Bacterial infections such as strep throat can also cause tonsillitis.
Who is at risk for tonsillitis?Tonsillitis is most common in children over age two. Almost every child in the United States gets it at least once. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is more common in kids ages 5-15. Tonsillitis caused by a virus is more common in younger children.
Adults can get tonsillitis, but it is not very common.
Is tonsillitis contagious?Although tonsillitis is not contagious, the viruses and bacteria that cause it are contagious. Frequent handwashing can help prevent spreading or catching the infections.
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?The symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- A sore throat, which may be severe
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Trouble swallowing
- A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Fever
- Bad breath
You should call your health care provider if your child:
- Has a sore throat for more than two days
- Has trouble or pain when swallowing
- Feels very sick or very weak
You should get emergency care right away if your child:
- Has trouble breathing
- Starts drooling
- Has a lot of trouble swallowing
To diagnose tonsillitis, your child's health care provider will first ask you about your child's symptoms and medical history. The provider will look at your child's throat and neck, checking for things such as redness or white spots on the tonsils and swollen lymph nodes.
Your child will probably also have one or more tests to check for strep throat, since it can cause tonsillitis and it requires treatment. It could be a rapid strep test, a throat culture, or both. For both tests, the provider uses a cotton swab to collect a sample of fluids from your child's tonsils and the back of the throat. With the rapid strep test, testing is done in the office, and you get the results within minutes. The throat culture is done in a lab, and it usually takes a few days to get the results. The throat culture is a more reliable test. So sometimes if the rapid strep test is negative (meaning that it does not show any strep bacteria), the provider will also do a throat culture just to make sure that your child does not have strep.
What are the treatments for tonsillitis?Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. If the cause is a virus, there is no medicine to treat it. If the cause is a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, your child will need to take antibiotics. It is important for your child to finish the antibiotics even if he or she feels better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect your child.
No matter what is causing the tonsillitis, there are some things you can do to help your child feel better. Make sure that your child:
- Gets a lot of rest
- Drinks plenty of fluids
- Tries eating soft foods if it hurts to swallow
- Tries eating warm liquids or cold foods like popsicles to soothe the throat
- Isn't around cigarette smoke or anything else that could irritate the throat
- Sleeps in a room with a humidifier
- Gargles with saltwater
- Sucks on a lozenge (but do not give them to children under four; they can choke on them)
- Takes an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin.
In some cases, your child may need a tonsillectomy.
What is a tonsillectomy and why might my child need one?A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. Your child might need it if he or she:
- Keeps getting tonsillitis
- Has bacterial tonsillitis that does not get better with antibiotics
- Has tonsils that are too big and are causing trouble breathing or swallowing
Your child usually gets the surgery and goes home later that day. Very young children and people who have complications may need to stay in the hospital overnight. It can take a week or two before your child completely recovers from the surgery.
Tonsillitis FDA Approved Drugs
- Method of treating tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis secondary to streptococcus pyogenes in a once-a-day amoxicillin product.
- Use of once-a-day amoxicillin product to treat tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis secondary to streptococcus pyogenes.
Felter's Materia Medica on Tonsillitis
The recent root and leaves of Baptisia tinctoria, Robert Brown (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae), a perennial shrub-like plant, indigenous to North... / ...d forms of sore throat, with great stench and full, dusky tissues, the angina of scarlet fever, and tonsillitis, with sluggish circulation and fetid exudate, and also when necrotic, baptisia holds a h... / ...healing of the ulcerated surfaces. In all of the local disorders mentioned, baptisia should be given internally as well as applied locally.1
The ripe fruit, dried, of Capsicum frutescens, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Tropical America; also cultivated in most tropical countries. Dose,... / ...on and useful stimulating gargle for sluggish forms of sore throat, and sometimes apparently aborts tonsillitis. Capsicum may be used for many of the revulsant effects required of mustard. It does not...1
The fresh root and plant of Collinsonia canadensis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Labiatae.) Damp and rich soils of woods from Canada to Florida. Common... / ...heart, larynx or bladder; contracted abdomen; vesical tenesmus; hemorrhoids; varicocele; follicular tonsillitis, with chronic hypertrophy of the faucial glands; any condition with weight and constrict... / ...disorder collinsonia is helpful, there is always a sense of weight and constriction, venous engorgement, dilated capillaries, and muscular atony.1
The dried root of Brauneria angustifolia, Linné (Echinacea angustifolia [DeCandolle], Heller). (Nat. Ord. Compositae.) In rich prairie soils of... / ... applicable is echinacea. Used by spray it is effective to remove stench and to stimulate repair in tonsillitis, the angina of scarlatina, and though not alone capable of curing diphtheria, either by ... / ...cent solution to full strength echinacea or echafolta may be freely used, syringing the channels with it. This gives great relief from pain 1
The bark of the root of Euphorbia corollata, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). Dry fields and woods of Canada and the United States. Common Names:... / ...wles also used it, with phytolacca and phosphate of hydrastin, to reduce enlarged tonsils following tonsillitis. The American species of Euphorbia furnish a rich field for restudy. Formerly some of th... / ...gastro-intestinal, or urino-genital mucosa; or the tough, glutinous tracheo-broncho-pulmonic secretions, with irritation.1
...s of the throat with tumid, swollen tonsils, painful deglutition and dribbling of saliva; incipient tonsillitis (early); rheumatic pharyngitis. Action and Therapy.External. The ammoniated tincture o...... it. The chief uses for guaiac are in rheumatic pharyngitis or rheumatic sore throat and incipient tonsillitis, with angry, red, raw-looking surfaces, where the parts appear to be severely inflamed o...1
The leaves, bark and twigs of Hamamelis virginiana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hamamelidaceae), collected in the autumn. Common in the United States.... / ... for angry and deep red sorethroats, with relaxation of membranes; or in pharyngitis, faucitis, and tonsillitis, with hyperaemia or congestion. The specific medicine is especially soothing and astring...1
The dried rhizome and roots of Hydrastis canadensis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae) United States and Canada in rich, shady woods. (Chiefly... / ...y in catarrhal and follicular pharyngitis, subacute forms of simple catarrhal sore throat following tonsillitis, subacute rhinitis, naso-pharyngeal and retro-pharyngeal catarrh, and in ulcerated nasop... / ...The preparation preferred is the colorless, though other hydrastis preparations, particularly berberine and hydrastin salts are useful, b1
The inner bark of the root and tree of Mangifera indica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Anacardiaceae). A native East Indian fruit tree; naturalized in the... / ...e skin. Especially is it effective in acute pharyngitis and the follicular and phlegmonous forms of tonsillitis. Too much has been claimed for it in diphtheria, though its use as an adjuvant is not in... / ...and digestion, and apparently is non- constipating. When not contraindicated syrup is a fairly good vehicle for mangifera in throat affections.1
The leaves and tops of Mentha piperita, Smith (Mentha X piperita L.) (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Europe and the United States. Dose, 60 to 120 grains. Common Names:... / ...pplied by atomization, essence of peppermint and alcohol, equal parts, frequently eases the pain of tonsillitis and gives relief in the cough of acute bronchitis and pneumonia.1
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Tonsillitis
A good routine treatment is; a mercurial followed by a Seidlitz powder, with aconite to control fever, application to the tonsils of tincture ferric chloride containing quinine sulphate (4 grs. to the drachm) or guaiacol; externally, hot fomentations (the hop poultice is eflicient) or Glyceroplasma. Phenol Camphor may be used external ly with advantage in some cases. In mild recurrent attacks, Ton sillitis tablets (see p. 189) are often efficient. In rheumatic subjects, iodides, sodium salicylat...2
References
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.