Tonsillitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Most cases of tonsillitis are caused due to an infection with a common virus. However, bacterial infections can also cause tonsillitis.
Tonsils are the two small organs made from lymphoid tissue on each side of the back of the throat. They function as a defence mechanism and help stop the body from getting an infection.
Tonsillitis is a common childhood ailment but might occur at any age. Tonsillitis caused by strep infection can cause severe complications if not treated promptly. It is easy to diagnose, and symptoms of tonsillitis can resolve within seven to ten days. For effective treatment of tonsillitis, trust our range of generic antibiotics and antifungal medicines designed to combat infections and promote faster recovery.
Causes of Tonsillitis
The most common cause of tonsillitis is viral infections. However, bacterial infections can also contribute to tonsillitis.
Viral tonsillitis
Viruses that cause common colds and flu often lead to 70% of cases of tonsillitis. Generally, people with viral tonsillitis suffer milder symptoms than bacterial tonsillitis.
Bacterial tonsillitis
Bacteria such as Group A Streptococcus lead to other cases of tonsillitis. A very common name for bacterial tonsillitis is strep throat. Compared to viral tonsillitis, bacterial tonsillitis causes more severe symptoms, resulting in chronic tonsillitis.
Find out ▶ Is Bacterial Infection Dangerous?
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis mainly affects children between the preschool and mid-teen years. Some common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Fever
- Red & swollen tonsils
- Bad breath
- White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Stomach ache
- Difficult or painful swallowing
- Headache
- Rheumatic fever
- Throat pain
- Neck pain or stiff neck
- Enlarged and tender glands
In young children who are not able to tell how they feel, symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Unusual fussiness
- Drooling because of difficult or painful swallowing
- Refusal to eat
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Diagnosis of tonsillitis
To diagnose tonsillitis, a doctor will first examine your throat. The doctor will look at your tonsils to check if they are red, swollen, or pus. They will also check for fever and determine if you have viral or bacterial infection. For signs of disease, the doctor will check your ears & nose and feel the sides of the neck for pain & swelling.
The doctor will conduct specific tests to find the cause of tonsillitis. These include:
A throat swab
First, the doctor will test saliva and cells from the throat for strep bacteria. A doctor will run a cotton swab along the back of the throat. You might feel uncomfortable but won’t get hurt. Results of this test can be obtained in 10 to 15 minutes.
Sometimes, the doctor also conducts a lab test that takes a couple of days. If the tests are negative, a viral infection has caused tonsillitis. These tests are used After confirming a tonsillitis diagnosis.
Blood test
A blood test might be conducted, also called blood cell count. Through this test, the doctor checks high and low numbers of blood cells, further determining whether a virus or bacteria causes tonsillitis.
Rash
Your doctor can also check for scarlatina, a rash connected to strep throat infections.
Explore ▶ Difference Between Bacterial and Viral Infection.
Tonsillitis treatment
Treatment of tonsillitis symptoms often depends on the cause. Bacterial tonsillitis and viral tonsillitis symptoms are the same, but their treatments differ.
Your doctor might prescribe some antibiotic treatment to treat tonsillitis, such as cephalosporin, penicillin, or clindamycin if tonsillitis is caused by bacterial infection. It is necessary to follow the doctor’s prescription and complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if you feel better after a few days of the treatment.
Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat sore throat. However, for chronic tonsillitis and more severe tonsillitis, the doctor may also advise a Tonsillectomy(a type of neck surgery) for severe tonsillitis treatment.
Discover ▶ Which Antibiotics are Good for Throat Infection?
Caution:
When using antibiotics for tonsillitis, it's important to complete the course as prescribed to prevent antibiotic resistance. Always consult your doctor for the right antibiotic and avoid self-medication.
Summary
Therefore, germs that make you suffer from bacterial and viral tonsillitis are spreadable. To prevent such germs, it is necessary to practice good hygiene. Make sure to figure out the underlying cause of tonsillitis to determine the correct form of treatment.
