Tonsillitis and Inflammation
The inflammation of tonsils, two masses of tissue at the back of your throat, which acts as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and causes infections is called “Tonsillitis”.
Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. The condition can occur occasionally or recur frequently.
Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria.
Other common causes include:
- Adenoviruses
- Influenza virus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Parainfluenza viruses
- Enteroviruses
- Herpes simplex virus
The main symptoms of tonsillitis are inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, sometimes severe enough to block the airways.
Other systems include:
- Throat pain or tenderness
- Redness of the tonsils
- A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Painful blisters or ulcers on the throat
- Hoarseness or loss of voice
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Ear Pain
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth
- Swollen glands in the neck or jaw area
- Fever, chills
- Bad breath
In children, symptoms may also include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
If tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t work and your body will fight off the infection on its own. In the meantime, there are things you can do to feel better, regardless of the cause.
They include:
- Get enough rest
- Drink warm or very cold fluids to ease throat pain
- Eat smooth foods, such as flavored gelatins, ice cream, or applesauce
- Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your room
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Suck on lozenges containing benzocaine or other anesthetics
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
When is a Tonsillectomy needed?
Tonsils are an important part of the immune system throughout life, so it is best to avoid removing them. However, if tonsillitis is recurrent or persistent, or if enlarged tonsils cause airway obstruction of difficulty eating, surgical removal of the tonsils, called tonsillectomy, may be necessary. Most tonsillectomies involve using a conventional scalpel to remove the tonsils; however, there are many alternatives to this traditional method. Increasingly doctors are using techniques such as lasers, radio waves, ultrasonic energy or electrocautery to cut, burn, or evaporate away enlarged tonsils.
As with all surgeries, each of these has benefits and drawbacks. When considering the procedure, it’s important to discuss your options with the surgeon to select the most appropriate one for your child.
What to expect after Surgery?
Tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia and typically lasting between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. It is most commonly performed in children.
Most children go home about four hours after surgery and require a week to 10 days to recover from it. Almost all children will have throat pain, ranging from mild to severe, after surgery. Some may experience pain in the ears, jaw, and neck. Your child’s doctor will prescribe or recommend medication to ease the pain.
During the recovery period, it’s important for your child to get enough rest. It’s also important to make sure your child gets plenty of fluids; however, you should avoid giving your child milk products for the first 24 hours after surgery. Although throat pain may make your child reluctant to eat, the sooner your child eats, the sooner he or she will recover.