A badly hurting throat, along with fever and headache, is a major childhood memory for most of us. Tonsillitis is a common ailment that affects children and a large portion of the adult population, too. Treatment for tonsillitis has progressed from the extreme options of simple home remedies or surgery to several modern options. 

What are Tonsils? 

The tonsils are a set of two lymphoid organs, situated in the throat, one on each side, facing into the aerodigestive tract. These organs play an important role in the immune system. Their main function is fighting infections and inflammations that enter the body through the nose and mouth. Healthy tonsils are pinkish in colour. Any change in the colour indicates a disorder.

Infections that cause Tonsilitis:

• The most common are Viral infections

• Bacteria like Streptococcus (strep throat) can also be a reason.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis:

Tonsilitis affect both children and adults. Symptoms are also similar

Symptoms in children:

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Difficulty or pain while swallowing

• Swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches

• Ear pain

• Irritability or refusal to eat

Symptoms in adults:

• Persistent sore throat

• Fever and fatigue

• Bad breath

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• Headache or body aches

How Is Tonsillitis Diagnosed?

Since tonsils are situated in the throat, an ENT specialist diagnoses tonsillitis. This is through procedures like:

• Examining the throat and neck

• Asking about the history, frequency, and severity of infections

• Performing a throat swab to detect bacterial infection

• Blood tests, if needed

How to Manage Tonsillitis

Management for tonsillitis can include antibiotics if the cause is a bacterial infection, at-home care and in some cases, surgery, depending on how advanced the infection is. 

At-home care

Children with viral tonsillitis are likely to be better within 7 to 10 days. To help them recover easily, do the following:

• Make them rest and make sure they get plenty of sleep.

• Give fluids. Plenty of water keeps throats moist and prevents dehydration.

• Offer comfort food and drink. Warm liquids, such as broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey, can soothe a sore throat. Ice pops are a happy option for kids.

• For children who can gargle, a saltwater gargle of 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 millilitres) of table salt to 8 ounces (237 millilitres) of warm water can help soothe a sore throat. After gargling, let them spit out the saltwater.

• Use a cool-air humidifier to keep the air moist. Dry air can make a sore throat feel worse. Another option is to seat the child for a few minutes in a steamy bathroom.

• Children older than age 4 can suck on lozenges to ease a sore throat.

• Keep out things that can irritate the throat, like cigarette smoke and cleaning products which can irritate the throat.

• Treat pain and fever. Speak to your healthcare professional about medication to ease throat pain and control fever. Low fevers without pain do not need treatment.

Surgery 

Surgery to remove tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. It is recommended for recurring or ongoing tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis that does not respond to antibiotic treatment. A tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure and may be done if tonsillitis causes complications, such as:

• Breathing troubles during sleep, called obstructive sleep apnea.

• Trouble breathing

• Trouble swallowing

• Pus buildup, called an abscess, that does not get better with antibiotic treatment

When to See the Doctor?

See an ENT specialist if tonsillitis comes back often or occurs:

• At least seven times in the year before

• At least five times a year in the past two years

• At least three times a year in the past three years

How to Prevent Tonsillitis?

While not always preventable, one can reduce the risk of tonsillitis by:

• Maintaining good hand hygiene

• Avoiding close contact with infected individuals

• Boosting immunity with a balanced diet

• Treating throat infections early

Takeaways

If sore throats become frequent or troublesome, they could be because of tonsilitis and it may be time to seek expert care. Tonsillitis is common and often mild, but recurrent or severe episodes should never be ignored in adults and especially in children. Early consultation with an ENT specialist ensures proper diagnosis, effective treatment and prevents long-term complications

Star Hospitals is an institution of excellence in patient-centred care with the best panel of ENT specialists in Hyderabad. We offer extensive and state-of-the-art medical care in all primary and speciality healthcare services. Cross-speciality consultation assures comprehensive treatment for each patient. To learn more and avail our services, call 1800-102-7827 or visit our branches.