Tonsillitis, also known as angina, is an infection produced in the palatine tonsils, glands found under the palate, at the bottom of the oral cavity, and that manifests itself with inflammation and an increase in the size of the same, causing especially throat pain and fever.
This pathology is caused by a viral cause in most cases, although some diseases also cause it. In the same way, bacterial Tonsillitis is expected, which must be treated with antibiotics before it causes complications. In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the contagion, symptoms and treatment of Tonsillitis.
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Tonsillitis contagion
The tonsils are responsible for defending the pharyngeal area from bacteria and other microorganisms, creating antibodies and defensive cells to prevent infections in the body. Therefore, and as we mentioned at the beginning, viruses and bacteria can be the ones that cause these lymph nodes to swell.
Among the causes of Tonsillitis, the following conditions stand out:
- Group A streptococcus is generally the cause of various throat infections.
- Adenoviruses cause everything from respiratory tract infections to conjunctivitis.
- The Epstein-Barr virus is the culprit of infectious mononucleosis.
- The flu includes a sore throat to various other symptoms.
- Others such as parainfluenza viruses, Coxsackie, enteroviruses, or HSV.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Viral conditions are persistent during childhood, with viral Tonsillitis or angina being one of the most common pathologies during this stage, although it can also affect adolescents and adults.
In addition to the sore throat they cause, the symptoms of Tonsillitis are:
- Slight fever.
- Cough and hoarseness.
- Mucus.
- Headache.
- In some cases, conjunctivitis also occurs.
- On the other hand, Tonsils are often swollen and red, with small ulcers at the bottom but no pus.
The bacterial Tonsillitis, however, is more common in adults and is manifested by the following signs:
- High fever of up to 40º C.
- Chills and malaise.
- Very swollen tonsils with visible pus on the surface.
- In addition, the infection causes an increase in the size of the lymph nodes so that they can be palpated more easily.
Difficulty swallowing and throat sensitivity appear in common in all cases of Tonsillitis and can even cause swallowing problems. It is essential to bear in mind that bacterial Tonsillitis can lead to different complications such as rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, or toxic shock if the infection reaches the bloodstream, a rare condition but one that we must take into account.
Treatment of Tonsillitis
No treatment is needed when you have swollen tonsils without pain or other noticeable symptoms, so you should only be vigilant for other signs.
On the other hand, in the presence of bacteria such as streptococcus or any other, it will be essential to administer antibiotics long enough to prevent the infection from reappearing. Oral penicillin or amoxicillin is generally used to kill the germ. If the doctor considers it, analgesics and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can be administered to relieve pain and fever.
Some home remedies for angina that can make the condition more bearable are the following:
- Drink cold liquids or suck on ice lollies to relieve irritation of the glands.
- Drink enough water and opt for soft and warm liquids, avoiding the hot ones that will end up irritating the area even more.
- Gargling with warm salt water will help improve tonsil inflammation.
- To reduce a sore throat, Tablets can be a good ally, but they should not be abused or substituted for treatment.
Sometimes it may be necessary to remove the tonsils, something ubiquitous a few years ago. However, at present, it is considered that these have a fundamental role in the body, so removal is reserved for particular cases in which infections occur very frequently.
In our article home remedies for angina, we explain the best infusions and natural solutions to reduce the discomfort caused by this condition.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Tonsillitis: contagion, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Ear, nose, and throat category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.