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