Tonsillitis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Alternative Names
Acute tonsillitis
Definition :
Acute infection of one or both tonsils.
Tonsils, commonly known as angina, lymphatic tissue clusters are located on both sides of the oropharynx in the soft palate; constitute the first barrier of defense against pathogens from the airways or oropharynx.
How the disease occurs
Tonsillitis is an infection-acquired, either through the air (coughing or sneezing) or by direct contact (exchange of saliva, contact with contaminated objects, intimate contact)
The most common cause of acute tonsillitis tonsil colonization by virus that usually affects the respiratory tract, other viruses such as mononucleosis responsible (or kissing disease) herpes or HIV also cause tonsillitis.
The second most common cause of acute tonsillitis amygdala colonization by bacteria that normally come from the skin, oropharynx and upper respiratory tract. The most common is strep throat caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus.
Immunocompromised patients or diabetics may suffer tonsillitis caused by colonization of the amygdala fungal pathogens.
Symptoms of illness
The incubation period of the disease ranges from 12 hours to 5 days from the occurrence of infection.
Symptoms vary from one patient to another and can be mild, moderate or severe.
Tonsillitis caused by virus is characterized by:
- Gradual onset and progressive worsening
- Mild fever (usually less than 39 º C)
- Sore throat moderate
- Presence of small ganglia in the neck
- Redness or tonsils
- Mild to moderate increase size of one or both tonsils.
- Slight malaise.
Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is characterized by:
- Sudden onset and malaise
- High fever (usually above 39 ° C)
- Enlarged glands in the neck, being painful on palpation.
- It is common for other symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain.
- Very red tonsils, enlargement of one or both tonsils with a presence on the surface of red dots (small hemorrhages), pockets of pus (bacteria) or white patches.
Disease diagnosis
The disease diagnosis is based on symptoms presented by the patient and the exploration of the oropharynx.
Sometimes it is necessary to perform additional diagnostic tests such as a blood test or taking a swab of the amygdala to pinpoint the germ responsible.
Disease Treatment
Treatment of virus produced by amigadalitis is symptomatic by using antipyretics, analgesics to control fever and pain. We suggest taking food and drinks cold temperate crushed or at room temperature. The antiseptic mouthrinses several times a day can prevent colonization of the pharynx or tonsils by bacteria.
Treatment of tonsillitis caused by bacteria requires the use of a specific antibiotic against germ causing the infection, and symptomatic treatment through the use of antipyretics, analgesics to control fever and pain.We suggest taking food and drinks cold temperate crushed or at room temperature.
Infections that occur with significant malaise and hard for the passage of air through the oropharynx require hospitalization for treatment.
Diabetic or immunocompromised patients may require hospitalization for treatment of infection.
Surgical removal of the tonsil, tonsillectomy, is reserved for highly selected patients.
Prognosis
Most of tonsillitis has a good prognosis and usually resolve one within 7-10 days with proper treatment.
The virus produced by tonsillitis usually resolves spontaneously usually within several days without sequelae.
The tonsillitis caused by bacteria usually resolves with appropriate antibiotic therapy within a few days. The farinfoamigdailitis untreated strep can lead to rare complications such as rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis.
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