Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis in Children
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of two oval shaped tissues found on either side at the back of the oral cavity. Tonsils are the immune system s first line of defense mechanism against any microorganism or foreign bodies that enters the mouth. This is why tonsils are more prone and vulnerable to infections and inflammation. This main function declines after puberty. This reason is the main cause for tonsillitis being common in children and rare in adults.
Causes
The main causes of tonsillitis are common viruses and certain bacteria. The most common bacteria causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus Pyogenes (Group A streptococcus). Certain other bacterial strains are also known to cause tonsillitis.
Symptoms
It is most commonly seen in children of preschool ages around the age of 3-5 years and can also occur between ages of 5- 15 years. The main symptoms of tonsillitis are red and swollen tonsils, difficulty in swallowing and eating, severe throat pain and sore throat, bad breath, enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck, fever, white or yellow patches on the tonsils indicating infection, neck pain and stiffness, excessive drooling, headache, malaise and fatigue. In kids who are not able to describe the discomfort, the symptoms can be understood by difficulty in swallowing or painful swallowing, refusal to eat, excessive drooling of saliva, difficulty in breathing in severe cases.
Complications
The commonly seen complications of tonsillitis are
- Tonsillar Cellulitis: the infection of the tonsils had spread to the surrounding deep tissues.
- Peritonsillar abscess: infection gets collected as pus behind the infected tonsil.
- Rheumatic fever: this occurs when frequent tonsillitis caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria are left untreated or not completed with right course of antibiotics. This is indeed a serious inflammatory disease that affects the heart, joints and nervous tissues.
- Scarlet fever: this is also due to Group A Streptococcus bacteria being left untreated. This causes prominent skin rashes all over the body.
- Post Streptococcus Glomerulonephritis: rarely seen and is characterized by inflammation of kidney.
Treatment
The main treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause and based on clinical investigation and symptoms. The treatment starts with the antibiotic therapy depending upon the cause and severity. Food and lifestyle changes may be needed such as avoiding cold foods and drinks, maintaining proper oral hygiene and hand hygiene, avoid sharing bottles and foods, also avoid going out or to school during the infected time as it can worsen the symptoms. It is also necessary to change the toothbrush after a tonsillitis episode.
The Pediatrician will explain all the precaution s and care to be taken to prevent tonsillitis to both the child and the parents or caretaker. If the child is prone to have repeated frequent episodes of tonsillitis, the Pediatrician may advice surgical removal of tonsils only in severe cases. It is always better to get it treated in the first time and treat the infection with complete course of medicines and actions prescribed.
