Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis Treatment in Alwarpet, Chennai

Tonsils are present on each side at the back of the throat. They protect the body from infection. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Virus is the most common cause, but bacteria and secondary illness may also cause tonsillitis. For tonsillectomy, opt for the best tonsillectomy specialist in Chennai.

What are the types of tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is of three types depending upon the duration of symptoms. These are:

• Acute tonsillitis: Patients with acute tonsillitis experience symptoms for less than ten days. In most cases, home remedies may manage the symptoms. However, in some cases, a patient may require medications.
• Chronic tonsillitis: Patients with chronic tonsillitis experience symptoms for a period longer than that expected for acute tonsillitis. It causes accumulation of saliva and dead cells resulting in the formation of tonsil stones.
• Recurrent tonsillitis: In recurrent tonsillitis, patients experience the symptoms many times in a year. It may be due to the formation of a biofilm in the tonsils that causes repeated infections.

What are the symptoms?

Patients with tonsillitis experience several symptoms. Some of them are:

• Difficulty in swallowing due to enlarged and inflamed tonsils
• Yellow or white patches or coating on the tonsils
• Fever and sore throat due to bacterial or viral infection
• Bad breath (halitosis) and tender lymph nodes in the throat
• Headache, stomach ache and earache
• Red and swollen tonsils.
• Stiff neck and pain in the neck
• Change in the voice, i.e. scratchy or muffled voice
• Drooling, vomiting, fussiness, upset stomach and refusal to eat (symptoms in children)

What causes tonsillitis?

There are several causes of tonsillitis. Some of them are:

• Viral infections: Viruses are responsible for about 70 percent of tonsillitis cases. The common viruses for tonsillitis are enteroviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses and mycoplasma. Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Herpes Simplex virus may also cause tonsillitis.
• Bacterial infections: Approximately 15-30 percent of tonsillitis cases are due to bacterial infections. It is more common in children from 5 years to 15 years of age. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis. The other bacteria include mycoplasma pneumonia, staphylococcus aureus, chlamydia pneumonia, fusobacterium, bordetella pertussis and neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Secondary illness: In some cases, secondary diseases, such as hay fever or sinusitis, may also result in tonsillitis.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Tonsillitis may occur due to various reasons, and treatment depends on the underlying cause. Thus, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Book an appointment with your doctor if you have:

• Sore throat that does not ease within two days
• Sore throat accompanied by fever
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Neck stiffness and muscle weakness

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Treatment depends upon the cause of tonsillitis. A doctor may have the following treatment options:

• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the cause of tonsillitis is bacteria. You should not discontinue the antibiotics in between even if you have no symptoms. Always take a complete antibiotic course to prevent resistance. The doctor may also prescribe pain medicines to relieve your pain and discomfort.
• Surgery: In some cases, especially in recurrent and chronic tonsillitis, the disease does not respond to antibiotics. The doctor may advise you to undergo surgery. The doctor performs surgery to remove tonsils. Choose a state-of-the-art tonsillectomy hospital in Chennai for undergoing surgery.
• Home treatment: This also helps in reducing the symptoms of tonsillitis. This includes saltwater gargle, rest, avoiding irritants and sucking lozenges to relieve sore throat.

Conclusion

People with tonsillitis have trouble swallowing and suffer from a fever too. Several home treatment options help manage the symptoms. Your doctor may either prescribe medications or recommend surgery for treating tonsillitis.