Acute Inflammation of Tonsils

Tonsils are made of tissues that are located at the back of the throat. There are two tonsils, one on each side. These form a part of the immune system also as they prevent the infection in the respiratory tracts.

Tonsillitis is referred to the infection in these tonsils. The tonsils become inflamed and swollen in this condition. It can happen at any age.

The common symptoms include sore throat, headache, difficult swallowing, fever, tiredness and rare difficulty in breathing. On examination, some white or yellow pus spots over the tonsils and swollen gland in the neck are found. The problem can get worse within 2-3 days and mainly disappears in a week’s time.

Tonsillitis is of three types, acute, sub-acute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis is due to viral or bacterial infection. It causes sore throat followed by fever. Even swallowing salvia can become difficult with pain in the ear and even bad breath. Some bacteria can even cause heart and kidney problems.

Sometimes the infection can spread to the side tissues and cause ear infection (mastoiditis, otitis), sinus problem (sinusitis), chest infection, quinsy or pharyngitis. Other complications that may occur include rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.

Treating acute tonsillitis is very simple. Do some gargles with salt and aspirin in warm water and drink plenty of water. If there is severe pain, a paracetamol medicine is useful. It can reduce the pain as well as the fever. If nothing gives relief then an antibiotic treatment regime is necessary under physician’s guidance, which will help to fight the bacteria and give you relief.

Some years back tonsillitis was treated by removing the tonsils of the persons (tonsillectomy), but this had repeated reoccurrence rate. Nowadays this practice is not used unless the condition is very severe. Severe conditions include chronic tonsillitis, recurrent attacks of tonsillitis, airway obstruction and suspicion of malignancy.