A Patient Who Presents With Red Throat and Tonsils Can Be Diagnosed as Having

Tonsillitis

Also called: Tonsil Inflammation

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Summary

What are tonsils?

Tonsils are lumps of tissue at the back of the throat. In that location are two of them, one on each side. Along with the adenoids, tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in remainder. Tonsils and adenoids work by trapping the germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils. Sometimes along with tonsillitis, the adenoids are likewise swollen.

What causes tonsillitis?

The crusade of tonsillitis is commonly a viral infection. Bacterial infections such as strep pharynx tin also cause tonsillitis.

Who is at risk for tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is most common in children over age two. Almost every child in the The states gets it at least one time. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is more than common in kids ages v-15. Tonsillitis caused by a virus is more mutual in younger children.

Adults can become tonsillitis, only it is not very common.

Is tonsillitis contagious?

Although tonsillitis is not contagious, the viruses and bacteria that crusade it are contagious. Frequent handwashing can assist forestall spreading or communicable the infections.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

The symptoms of tonsillitis include:

A sore throat, which may exist severe
Red, swollen tonsils
Trouble swallowing
A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
Bloated glands in the neck
Fever
Bad jiff

When does my child need to see a health intendance provider for tonsillitis?

You lot should telephone call your health care provider if your child:

Has a sore throat for more than two days
Has problem or pain when swallowing
Feels very ill or very weak

You should go emergency care right away if your child:

Has trouble breathing
Starts drooling
Has a lot of problem swallowing

How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

To diagnose tonsillitis, your child's health intendance provider will first enquire yous most your kid's symptoms and medical history. The provider will look at your child's throat and cervix, checking for things such as redness or white spots on the tonsils and swollen lymph nodes.

Your kid will probably also take ane or more tests to check for strep throat, since it can crusade tonsillitis and it requires handling. Information technology could be a rapid strep test, a throat culture, or both. For both tests, the provider uses a cotton fiber swab to collect a sample of fluids from your child'southward tonsils and the back of the throat. With the rapid strep test, testing is done in the part, and you become the results inside minutes. The throat culture is done in a lab, and it usually takes a few days to get the results. The throat civilisation is a more reliable test. So sometimes if the rapid strep test is negative (significant that it does not show whatever strep bacteria), the provider will besides exercise a throat culture just to make sure that your kid does not have strep.

What are the treatments for tonsillitis?

Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. If the cause is a virus, there is no medicine to treat it. If the cause is a bacterial infection, such every bit strep throat, your kid will demand to have antibiotics. It is of import for your child to finish the antibiotics even if he or she feels meliorate. If treatment stops too soon, some leaner may survive and re-infect your child.

No matter what is causing the tonsillitis, there are some things you can do to assistance your kid feel ameliorate. Brand certain that your child:

Gets a lot of rest
Drinks plenty of fluids
Tries eating soft foods if it hurts to swallow
Tries eating warm liquids or common cold foods similar popsicles to soothe the pharynx
Isn't around cigarette smoke or practice anything else that could irritate the throat
Sleeps in a room with a humidifier
Gargles with saltwater
Sucks on a lozenge (just practice not give them to children under four; they tin can choke on them)
Takes an over-the-counter pain reliever such every bit acetaminophen. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin.

In some cases, your child may need a tonsillectomy.

What is a tonsillectomy and why might my child need ane?

A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. Your kid might need it if he or she:

Keeps getting tonsillitis
Has bacterial tonsillitis that does not get meliorate with antibiotics
Has tonsils are too large, and are causing trouble animate or swallowing

Your child usually gets the surgery and goes dwelling house later on that day. Very immature children and people who have complications may need to stay in the hospital overnight. It can take a calendar week or two before your child completely recovers from the surgery.

Having Your Tonsils Taken Out (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation)
Tonsillectomy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Enquiry)
Tonsillectomy - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Too in Castilian
Tonsils and Tonsillectomies (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)

Peritonsillar Abscess (American University of Family Physicians) Likewise in Spanish
Recurring Strep Throat: When Is Tonsillectomy Useful? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Instruction and Research) Too in Spanish
Tonsillar Cellulitis and Tonsillar Abscess (Merck & Co., Inc.) As well in Spanish

Tonsils (National Cancer Institute)

Peritonsillar abscess (Medical Encyclopedia) Likewise in Spanish
Tonsil and adenoid removal - belch (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Castilian
Tonsillectomy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Tonsillitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Castilian

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Source: https://medlineplus.gov/tonsillitis.html