What is tonsillitis must know about it?

 Tonsillitis is a medical term used to describe an inflammation that happens at the tonsils, a structure that consists of pads of tissue that are oval in shape and located at the back of your throat. There are a couple of tonsils in the throat and each of it is situated at each side of the throat. It is a kind of disease that is related to our oral hygiene and oral health.

            For people who are suffering from tonsillitis, they will experience some signs and symptoms such as:

1.      Your tonsils became red in color and swelling

2.      Changes in the appearance of the tonsils for example white or sometimes yellow in color coating or patches on the tonsils.

3.      You may have a sore throat and found that it is difficult or painful to swallow your foods

4.      You may experience fever and rise in temperature of your body

5.      There is a foul smell that came from your breath

6.      The neck became pain and stiff

 In some children, they will find that it is difficult to describe what they feel at that particular moment. But they will show some signs that will give us a clue that they are having tonsilitis including:

1.      Drooling because of difficulty or painful to swallow

2.      Refusal to eat

3.      Abnormal fussiness

 To date, it is believed that viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis. However, research done shows that bacterial infections may also contribute to the occurrence of tonsillitis. The bacterium that causes strep throat, Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), is the most prevalent cause of tonsillitis. Tonsillitis can also be caused by different strep strains and bacteria. The tonsils are considered to be the ‘front liner’ to our immune systems, as they will act as the first line of defense mechanism for the immune system against germs and viruses that enter the mouth. Because of that, the tonsils may be more susceptible to any infection and inflammation. However, following puberty, the tonsil’s immune system function diminishes, which could explain the adult instances of tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

1.      Age is a factor. Tonsillitis is most frequent in children, and bacteria-caused tonsillitis is most common in children aged 5 to 15.

2.      Germ exposure on a regular basis. School-aged children are regularly exposed to viruses or germs that might cause tonsillitis due to their constant interaction with their peers.

            Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils that mainly because of recurrent or long-term (chronic) tonsillitis can result in consequences for examples:

1.      Breathing problems when sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea)

2.      Infection that has spread to the surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)

3.      An infection that causes a pus accumulation behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)

            If your child is having a tonsilitis because of the bacterial infection by group A streptococcus or another strain of streptococcal bacteria and it is left untreated or antibiotic treatment isn’t completed, he or she is at risk for unusual illnesses like:

1.      Rheumatoid arthritis is a dangerous inflammatory disease that affects the heart, joints, neurological system, and skin.

2.      Scarlet fever complications, a streptococcal infection marked by a large rash

3.      Kidney inflammation is a condition in which the kidneys become inflamed (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)

4.      Reactive arthritis caused by post-streptococcal streptococcal

            Both of the germs that act as the main cause of tonsillitis (virus and bacteria), are very infectious. As a result, the greatest form of prevention is to maintain adequate hygiene. Teach your youngster to do the following:

1.      Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles, or utensils by washing his or her hands thoroughly and regularly, especially after using the restroom and before eating.

2.      After being diagnosed with tonsillitis, he or she should replace his or her toothbrush.

            To help your kid avoid spreading a bacterial or viral infection to others, follow these steps:

1.      When your child is sick, keep him or her at home.

2.      Inquire with your doctor when it is safe for your youngster to return to school.

3.      Teach your youngster to cough or sneeze into a tissue or, if necessary, his elbow.

4.      After sneezing or coughing, teach your youngster to wash his or her hands.

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