How easy is it to catch tonsillitis?

TONSILLITIS 

Definition:- Tonsillitis is an inflammatory disease of tonsil itself causes by various bacteria and viruses. Tonsillitis is most common diseases in children associated with common cold or flu. 

LOCATION OF TONSIL 

Tonsil is a pair of soft tissue mass located at the rear of the throat and each tonsil composed of tissue similar to a lymph node and covered by pink mucosa. As seen below image

WHAT IS WORK OF TONSIL IN OUR BODY?

Tonsil is part of the lymphatic system and swells in responses of any infection in our body. Tonsil is 1st line defense against illness because they produce white blood cells and help to fight against infection so tonsil is also exposed to the possibilty of being attacked by bacteria and virus. 

CAUSES 

As you know that tonsil is 1st line defense against bacterial or viral they are also susceptible to infection themselves. Most common cause of tonsillitis is a virus, but can sometime it may be bacterial. 

Most common type of virus to infect tonsil are as follow

• Adenovirus ( common cold and sore throat) 
• rhinovirus ( common cold)
• influenza ( flu)
• Acute respiratory tract infection    

Most common type of bacteria to infect tonsil are as follow

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Mycoplasma pneumonia 
• chlamydia pneumonia 
• bordetella pertussis 
•  neisseria gonorrhoeae

TYPE OF TONSILLITIS 

There are mainly three type of  tonsillitis 

1. Acute tonsillitis 
2. Reccurent tonsillitis 
3. Chronic tonsilitis 

SING AND SYMPTOMS 

There are many symptoms associated with tonsillitis such as 

1. A sore throat and pain while swallowing
2. Tonsil appear as red and swollen
3. High-grade fever with chills
4. A headache and runny nose  
5. Nausea and vomiting 
6. Bad breath 

COMPLICATION 

If untreated for a long time the infection may spread to the neighboring organ and cause more complications such as below 

• An infection of the middle ear and causes Acute otitis media 
• Quinsy ( collection of pus between tonsil and throat wall
• Obstructive sleep apnea 

TREATMENT 

There is a wide range of antibiotics available for treatment of tonsillitis. So if you have repeated attacks of tonsillitis than you should consult with your family physician.

Surgery is required when there are repeated attacks of tonsillitis.

  

There are some home remedies which help to treat tonsillitis. Gargling with hot water is the best home treatment for tonsillitis. Sucking throat lozenges may help to reduce the discomfort of the throat.  

DR. AMIN I BAYAD 

(BHMS)