Tonsillitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Tonsillitis (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Tonsillitis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Tonsillitis|here]]''' | ||
{{ | {{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer | ||
==Overview== | |||
[[Tonsillitis]] is [[inflammation]] ([[swelling]]) of the [[tonsils]]. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Tonsillitis?== | |||
*[[Difficulty swallowing]] | |||
*[[Ear Pain|Ear pain]] | |||
*[[Fever]], [[chills]] | |||
*[[Headache]] | |||
*[[Sore throat]] - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe | |||
*[[Tenderness]] of the [[jaw]] and [[throat]] | |||
*Voice changes, loss of voice | |||
==What causes Tonsillitis?== | |||
The [[tonsils]] are [[lymph nodes]] in the back of the [[mouth]] and top of the [[throat]]. They normally help to filter out [[bacteria]] and other [[microorganisms]] to prevent [[infection]] in the [[body]]. | |||
They may become so overwhelmed by [[bacterial]] or [[viral infection]] that they [[swell]] and become [[inflamed]], causing [[tonsillitis]]. The [[infection]] may also be present in the [[throat]] and surrounding areas, causing [[inflammation]] of the [[pharynx]]. The [[pharynx]] is in the back of the [[throat]], between the [[tonsils]] and the [[voicebox]] ([[larynx]]). | |||
[[Tonsillitis]] is extremely common, particularly in children. | |||
== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your [[health care provider]] if: | |||
*A [[sore throat]] lasts longer than 48 hours | |||
*New symptoms develop | |||
*Symptoms get worse | |||
*You have other symptoms with the [[sore throat]] | |||
== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The [[health care provider]] will look in the [[mouth]] and [[throat]] for swollen [[tonsils]]. The [[tonsils]] are usually reddened and may have white spots on them. The [[lymph nodes]] in the [[jaw]] and [[neck]] may be swollen and tender to the touch. | |||
Tests that may be done include: | |||
*[[Rapid strep test]] | |||
*[[Throat culture|Throat swab culture]] | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
If the cause of the [[tonsillitis]] is [[bacteria]] such as [[strep]], [[antibiotics]] are given to cure the [[infection]]. The [[antibiotics]] may be given once as a shot, or taken for 10 days by [[mouth]]. | |||
If [[antibiotic]] pills are used, they must be taken for the entire amount of time prescribed by the doctor. DO NOT stop taking them just because the [[discomfort]] stops, or the [[infection]] may not be cured. | |||
Rest to allow the [[body]] to heal. Fluids, especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the [[throat]]. Gargle with warm salt water or suck on [[lozenges]] (containing [[benzocaine]] or similar ingredients) to reduce [[pain]]. | |||
[[Over-the-counter]] [[medications]], such as [[acetaminophen]] ([[Tylenol]]) or [[ibuprofen]] may be used to reduce [[pain]] and [[fever]]. Do NOT give a child [[aspirin]]. [[Aspirin]] has been linked to [[Reye syndrome]]. | |||
Some people who have repeated [[infections]] may need [[surgery]] to remove the [[tonsils]] ([[tonsillectomy]]). | |||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
*[[Sore throat]] | |||
*[[Strep throat]] | |||
==Where to find medical care for Tonsillitis== | ==Where to find medical care for Tonsillitis?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Tonsillitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Tonsillitis] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Tonsillitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Tonsillitis] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
[[Tonsillitis]] symptoms usually improve 2 or 3 days after [[treatment]] starts. The [[infection]] usually is cured after [[treatment]] is completed, but some people may need more than one course of [[antibiotics]]. | |||
[[Complications]] of untreated [[strep]] [[tonsillitis]] may be severe. Children with [[tonsillitis]] related to [[strep throat]] or [[pharyngitis]] should generally be kept home from school or day care until they have been on [[antibiotics]] for 24 hours. This helps reduce the spread of [[illness]]. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
*Blocked [[airway]] from swollen [[tonsils]] | |||
*[[Dehydration]] from difficulty [[swallowing]] fluids | |||
*[[Kidney failure]] | |||
*[[Peritonsillar abscess]] or [[abscess]] in other parts of the [[throat]] | |||
*[[Pharyngitis]] - [[bacterial]] | |||
*[[Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis]] | |||
*[[Rheumatic fever]] and related [[cardiovascular]] [[disorders]] | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002038/ | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Inflammations]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency mdicine]] | |||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
Latest revision as of 00:25, 30 July 2020
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Tonsillitis |
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Tonsillitis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer
Overview
Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.
What are the symptoms of Tonsillitis?
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- Fever, chills
- Headache
- Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe
- Tenderness of the jaw and throat
- Voice changes, loss of voice
What causes Tonsillitis?
The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the body.
They may become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing tonsillitis. The infection may also be present in the throat and surrounding areas, causing inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx).
Tonsillitis is extremely common, particularly in children.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if:
- A sore throat lasts longer than 48 hours
- New symptoms develop
- Symptoms get worse
- You have other symptoms with the sore throat
Diagnosis
The health care provider will look in the mouth and throat for swollen tonsils. The tonsils are usually reddened and may have white spots on them. The lymph nodes in the jaw and neck may be swollen and tender to the touch.
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment options
If the cause of the tonsillitis is bacteria such as strep, antibiotics are given to cure the infection. The antibiotics may be given once as a shot, or taken for 10 days by mouth.
If antibiotic pills are used, they must be taken for the entire amount of time prescribed by the doctor. DO NOT stop taking them just because the discomfort stops, or the infection may not be cured.
Rest to allow the body to heal. Fluids, especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the throat. Gargle with warm salt water or suck on lozenges (containing benzocaine or similar ingredients) to reduce pain.
Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen may be used to reduce pain and fever. Do NOT give a child aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome.
Some people who have repeated infections may need surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy).
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Tonsillitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Tonsillitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Tonsillitis symptoms usually improve 2 or 3 days after treatment starts. The infection usually is cured after treatment is completed, but some people may need more than one course of antibiotics.
Complications of untreated strep tonsillitis may be severe. Children with tonsillitis related to strep throat or pharyngitis should generally be kept home from school or day care until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. This helps reduce the spread of illness.
Possible complications
- Blocked airway from swollen tonsils
- Dehydration from difficulty swallowing fluids
- Kidney failure
- Peritonsillar abscess or abscess in other parts of the throat
- Pharyngitis - bacterial
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Rheumatic fever and related cardiovascular disorders