| The tonsils are fleshy clusters of tissue | | | | difficult, try serving liquids and soft |
| that lie in bands on both sides of the back | | | | foods, like nutritious soups, milkshakes, |
| of the throat, above and behind the tongue. | | | | smoothies, popsicles, or ice cream.symptoms |
| The tonsils' major function is to catch | | | | of Tonsilitis may vary on an individual basis |
| incoming germs before the germs cause | | | | for each patient. Only your doctor can |
| infections in the throat, mouth, or sinuses. | | | | provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and |
| Tonsils contain infection-fighting cells and | | | | whether they are indeed symptoms of |
| antibodies that stop the spread of the germs | | | | Tonsilitis. |
| further into the body. | | | | |
| | | | Other symptoms include fever, chills, |
| There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: acute, | | | | tiredness, muscle aches, earache, swollen |
| subacute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis can | | | | glands in the neck, and pain or discomfort |
| either be bacterial or viral (75%) in origin. | | | | when swallowing. Very young children with |
| Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between | | | | tonsillitis may become fussy and stop eating. |
| 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the | | | | |
| bacterium Actinomyces. Chronic tonsillitis, | | | | Causes of Tonsillitis |
| which can last for long periods if not | | | | |
| treated, is almost always bacterial. | | | | The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of |
| | | | the mouth and top of the throat. They |
| As children grow and develop, the tonsils and | | | | normally help to filter out bacteria and |
| adenoids eventually begin to shrink and are | | | | other microorganisms to prevent infection in |
| probably no longer important in protecting | | | | the body. |
| against disease-causing germs. Even in young | | | | |
| children, removal of infected tonsils or | | | | Tonsillitis is caused by viruses or bacteria |
| adenoids does not seem to weaken the body's | | | | that infect the tonsils. They cause the |
| defenses. There are many other tissues in the | | | | tonsils to become inflamed and swollen. One |
| body that are part of the immune system. | | | | of the first symptoms of tonsillitis is a |
| These tissues, known as lymphoid tissues , | | | | severe sore throat (see sore throat entry). |
| also make antibodies to fight against | | | | Tonsillitis causes include viral infections |
| infection. | | | | such as the flu, the common cold, |
| | | | mononucleosis. Streptococcus is the most |
| Symptoms of Tonsillitis | | | | common bacterial cause. Bacterial tonsillitis |
| | | | can be treated with antibiotics, but viral |
| The symptoms of tonsillitis may vary | | | | tonsillitis cannot. |
| depending on whether the infection is caused | | | | |
| by a virus or by bacteria. If your | | | | Viruses are the most common pathogens |
| tonsillitis is caused by a virus, such as the | | | | responsible for tonsillitis in children under |
| flu virus, you may have other flu symptoms, | | | | the age of 6 years. A number of respiratory |
| such as a runny nose, and aches in your body. | | | | viruses can cause tonsillitis, including the |
| If your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, | | | | Reovirus, Adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus |
| you may have a skin rash, or a flushed face. | | | | (EBV), Influenza virus, echoviruses. |
| | | | |
| The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore | | | | The chief cause of tonsillitis is a toxic |
| throat. The throat and tonsils usually look | | | | condition of the system, which is brought to |
| red and swollen. The tonsils may have spots | | | | a head by a sudden lowering of vitality, |
| on them or pus that covers them completely or | | | | resulting from exposure and sudden chill. The |
| in patches. Fever is also common. | | | | tonsils enlarge and get inflamed when the |
| | | | toxins cannot be got rid of through the |
| A child with tonsillitis needs plenty of | | | | normal channels of elimination such as the |
| nourishment and rest. If your child finds | | | | bowels, kidneys, and skin. |
| swallowing so painful that eating is | | | | |