Dont Ignore These 8 Tonsillitis Symptoms You Could Be at Risk

When you or a family member presents with a respiratory infection it’s rather difficult to be able to tell which one it is. This is because many of them share similar symptoms. So how do you know whether you are dealing with tonsillitis, the influenza virus, or strep throat? Turning to an otolaryngologist can give you the answers

The two lymph nodes located on both sides of the back of the throat are known as tonsils. They are the body’s first defense against preventing infection; however, even tonsils can become infected and when they do this is known as tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis can happen to anyone but is more common in children and teens. Tonsillitis is contagious, so it can easily spread if you come in contact with someone who is infected. There are three main types of tonsillitis: acute, chronic and recurrent. Most children will develop acute tonsillitis at least once during their lifetime.

Treating Tonsillitis: What You Need To Know

Symptoms of acute tonsillitis usually go away within 7-10 days; however, if symptoms keep coming back throughout the year then your child could very well be dealing with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. It’s important that if symptoms of tonsillitis worsen or return that you see an ENT doctor.

Furthermore, it isn’t always easy to tell whether a sore throat is the result of a cold, tonsillitis or strep throat; however, sore throats caused by colds are usually mild and will get better within a couple of days. This type of sore throat will often be accompanied by other cold symptoms such as a runny nose.

If your sore throat is caused by tonsillitis or strep the pain will be severe and can make it difficult to swallow. Those with tonsillitis may experience pain located in the back of the throat, where the tonsils are located. In order to diagnose a strep throat your doctor will need to swab the back of the throat to look for bacteria.

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Acute tonsillitis will go away on its own but rest and home care can go a long way to relieving symptoms; however, if tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection such as strep, your doctor will need to prescribe a round of antibiotics.

If your child is dealing with chronic or recurring tonsillitis then you may want to talk with your ear, nose and throat doctor about the benefits of having their tonsils removed (known as a tonsillectomy). This is a simple surgical procedure that can often be performed right in your otolaryngologist’s office.

If your child is dealing with severe throat pain and you’re worried that they could have tonsillitis then call your ENT specialist today for an immediate evaluation.Sore throats and colds are common during the winter months, especially for children. In many households, it can seem like just as one member of the family begins to recover, another starts to feel symptoms coming on. One unfortunate complication that can develop from such sickness is tonsillitis, or inflammation of the tonsils caused by infection. (1)

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Tonsillitis is often caused by the common cold. The virus starts with sniffles and a sore throat, but it can turn into a tonsil infection. Bacterial infections can cause tonsillitis, too,  as well as other viral infections. (1)

So how do you know if your cold or infection has affected your tonsils? Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for, in both adults and children.

“If you look at someone’s tonsils closely, they will have these little crypts [and crevices] in them. What can build up is old dead skin and bacteria, ” explains James Clark, MBBCh, an instructor of otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. When food, bacteria, or other debris get trapped in the crevices, they harden and calcify into tonsil stones. (2)

What Is Tonsillitis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prevention

You can get tonsil stones without having tonsillitis — in fact, many people get tonsil stones very frequently. Tonsil stones are usually harmless, but in some rare cases, they can cause tonsillitis. (3) And that’s why you may notice those white spots and patches if you have tonsillitis.

“You can have tonsillitis without actually having the presence of the stones and vice versa, ” Dr. Clark says. Sometimes the retained food and debris lead to chronic halitosis (bad breath), he adds. The stones typically fall out by themselves, though some people scrape them out using a cotton swab, Clark says.

When a person has a tonsil infection and there are stones, the stones are more likely to secrete pus, since that is part of the result of the tonsils swelling, according to Clark. You’ll get an accumulation of the dead immune cells that participated in fighting the infection, he says.

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Although everyone experiences pain differently, in almost all cases tonsillitis causes throat pain or irritation, such as a sore throat, difficult or painful swallowing, enlarged glands in the neck, and a scratchy voice (where you may feel more strain than usual to talk). (1) Some people also experience headaches, stomachaches, or a stiff neck as a result of tonsillitis.

It’s worth noting the possibility that someone may carry the bacteria that causes strep throat (and therefore test positive by a strep test), but they may not actually be infected with the bacteria or experience pain or other symptoms, Clark says.

“They have strep within the tonsil tissue — but it’s not actively causing an infection; it’s just living there, ” Clark says. Antibiotics, the typical treatment for tonsillitis caused by bacterial infections, are not recommended in these cases, however, unless someone is experiencing symptoms of tonsillitis. (4)

Don't Ignore These Serious Flu Symptoms

Whether tonsillitis has been caused by a virus or bacteria, it can easily spread from person to person, because such infections are contagious. This is more likely when someone has an active infection, Clark says. “Good hygiene is the best strategy to try to avoid tonsillitis, ” he says.

(group A streptococcus, the same bacteria that causes strep throat), is highly contagious. People with strep spread the bacteria by coughing and sneezing, which sends tiny droplets through the air that contain the bacteria. The infection can then be spread by any of the following ways: (5)

But sore throats are fairly common and can happen several times in a cold season. And it can be difficult to decide when it’s time to call your doctor.

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A range of illnesses include a sore throat , congestion, or even chills. To know if it’s tonsillitis causing your symptoms, read on to learn the most common indicators—and their treatment.

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Tonsillitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the tonsils, two pieces of tissue that are located in the back of the throat. Individuals typically experience symptoms that are more severe than simply a common cold such as swollen lymph nodes or fever.

While this condition might sound quite serious at first, in reality, tonsillitis is a fairly common illness. It most commonly affects children. Though some adults can experience this condition, it’s often mistaken for a simple sore throat or another type of infection. If left untreated, tonsillitis can last between four and 14 days .

Most cases of tonsillitis are viral infections . Many viruses can cause tonsillitis, including the same virus that’s responsible for Epstein-Barr virus, also known as mononucleosis. 

Tonsillitis Inflammation: The Basics

But, some can be caused by a bacteria—most commonly Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A Strep), the same culprit behind strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis) and, when left untreated in certain populations, scarlet or rheumatic fever. 

Tonsillitis is very contagious, meaning you can catch it easily. It is passed from person to person through close contact, sneezing, or coughing.

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