Inflammation
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 do 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 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.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Inflammation
Keep parts clean by frequent bathing in pure water; to disinfect use solution boric acid, 1%; silver nitrate, 2 gr. to fl. o2.; Iodosyl oint ment, 6% ; carbolic acid, 1.5%; potassium permanganate, 1 gr. to fl, oz. If there is active inflammation apply lotion of lead water. For dust ing powder zinc oleate, Iodosyl or zinc oxide.1
In the early stage, control heart’s action with aconite or veratrum viride; calomel and opium or morphine; leeches or ice bag over pre cordium. Later sustain heart’s action with digitalis. If of rheuma tic or syphilitic origin adopt appropriate general treatment. In cases of acute articular rheumatism, watch for indications of cardiac inflammation and meet symptoms promptly.1
In Acute Hepatitis, employ the usual remedies for inflammation; aconite, calomel followed by seidlitz powder, potassium citrate, spirit nitrous ether; small blister over liver; Glyceroplasma; food must be simple and easily digested (or predigested). If abscess forms, evacuate by aspiration. - In the Chronic Hepatitis of hot climates, nitromuriatic acid in ternally and locally applied is the most approved remedy; potassium iodide, ammonium chloride.1
Aconite as arterial sedative; diaphoretic and diuretic remedies, especially potassium citrate, ammonium acetate and spirit nitrous ether; mercurial cathartic; Dover’s powder. Locally depletant remedies, especially Glyceroplasma (blisters, leeches); turpentine stupe; hop poultice.1
General treatment for Inflammation, q. v.; aconite; calomel and opium of special importance; for heart failure caffeine and alcohol are safer than digitalis, whose effects must be carefully watched. If ef fusion occurs, use hydragogues or aspirate.1
If surgical interference is not deemed advisable, combat pain and inflammation with calomel and opium; apply turpentine stupes for relief of tympanites; Glyceroplasma is often useful for its depletant action; if no obstruction or perforation exists, salines are often useful, for their depleting and refrigerant action; injection of asafetida or of turpentine emulsion may relieve tympanites.1
General treatment for inflammation. Locally apply Glycero plasma, which is particularly useful after effusion has taken place. In the early stage simply strapping the chest, to relieve pain, is bet ter. To remove effusion, salicylic acid or saline or hydragogue cathartics or active diuretics such as Tonic Pilocarpine Compound. N., B. & Co.; application to chest of tincture iodine or a mixture of the tincture with glycerin, with addition of guaiacol or of methyl salicylate; if necessary reimove fluid by aspiration.1
General treatment for Inflammation, q. v. To relieve vesical tenesmus and pain, rectal suppositories of opium and henbane; Ze-an as diuretic, with which may be combined potassium citrate. In chronic cases, local treatment by steel sounds or application of suit able medicaments.1