TONSILITIS

<p>TONSILITIS</p><p>An infection or inflammation of tonsils((lymph glands located at the back of the throat). The tonsils are part of the immune system, which protects and helps the body to fight infections. Tonsillitis is very common and can occur at any age. It is most common in children and young adults.</p><p>There are several variations of tonsillitis: acute, recurrent, and chronic tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess.</p><p>CAUSES:</p><p>Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus species typically occurs in</p><p>children aged five to 15 years, while viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children. The herpes simplex virus, Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and the measles virus cause most cases of acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis. The patient&#x27;s history often helps identify the type of tonsillitis (i.e., acute, recurrent, chronic) that is present.</p><p>SYMPTOMS:</p><p>.a sore throat and neck</p><p>• pain when they swallow</p><p>• fever (a body temperature which is over 37.5ºC for adults</p><p>and over 38ºC in children)</p><p>• a loss of appetite, and feel generally ‘unwell’</p><p>• red and swollen tonsils (with pus)</p><p>• swollen and tender lymph nodes (glands) at either side</p><p>of the neck</p><p>• a change in the sound of their voice (such as sounding</p><p>‘hoarse’ or muffled).Children may complain of tummy pain without having a sore</p><p>throat, and they may vomit. Young children may just have a fever.</p><p>The type of tonsillitis determines what symptoms will occur.</p><p>Acute tonsillitis<br>: Patients have a fever, sore throat, foul breath, dysphagia</p><p>(difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing), and tender cervical</p><p>lymph nodes. Airway obstruction due to swollen tonsils may cause mouth</p><p>breathing, snoring, nocturnal breathing pauses, or sleep apnea. Lethargy and</p><p>malaise are common. These symptoms usually resolve in three to four days.</p><p>Recurrent tonsillitis<br>: This diagnosis is made when an individual has multiple</p><p>episodes of acute tonsillitis in a year.</p><p>Chronic tonsillitis<br>: Individuals often have chronic sore throat, halitosis, tonsillitis,</p><p>and persistently tender cervical nodes.</p><p>Peritonsillar abscess<br>: Individuals often have severe throat pain, fever, drooling,</p><p>foul breath, difficulty opening the mouth, and muffled voice quality.</p><p>The primary methods used to check tonsils are:</p><p>Medical history</p><p>Physical examination</p><p>Throat cultures</p><p>X-rays</p><p>Blood tests</p><p>PREVENTIVE MEASURES</p><p>1.Avoid exposure to people with upper-respiratory</p><p>infections.</p><p>2.Manuka honey diluted in warm water can be soothing. Gargling is fine, and cool saltwater is best, but it is not essential.</p><p>3.keeping yourself or your child away from others while</p><p>unwell</p><p>4.washing your hands often (help children to do the same)</p><p>keeping the sick person’s eating and drinking utensils</p><p>separate from others not sharing toothbrushesnot kissing a person with tonsillitis, or kissing someone if you have tonsillitis yourself.</p><p>5.Eat soft, cool foods (such as jelly and ice cream). Do not worry if your child stops eating for a day or two. They will eat when they are feeling better. Offer your child fluids, little and often (such as water or diluted juice). Chicken soup and other soft, easy to eat foods may be beneficial.Increase all fluid intake. While the throat is very sore, use liquid nourishment, such as milk shakes, soups, and high-protein fluids (diet or instant-breakfast milk drinks).</p>