Tonsillitis: Infection causes more than a painful throat

May 16, 2010

YOU could have experienced or met somebody who has suffered severe throat pain on swallowing, enlarged tender glands in the jaw and neck among others. That could be a manifestation of tonsillitis.

By Anthony Olwoch
YOU could have experienced or met somebody who has suffered severe throat pain on swallowing, enlarged tender glands in the jaw and neck among others. That could be a manifestation of tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis is a contagious disease spread by droplets through coughing, sneezing and contact such as kissing.
Dr. Kalifan Were, a general practitioner at Kalif medical clinic in Entebbe, says it is a condition where tonsils-fleshy pads (lymphatic tissue) on each side of the back of the throat become infected with bacteria or virus.

The purpose of tonsils is to produce antibodies to fight respiratory infections getting in through the nose, mouth or throat. Sometimes during this fight, the tonsils themselves succumb to the infection, resulting into.tonsillitis.

This ailment is common in children between three to seven years.

Types of tonsillitis
Robinah Kugonza, a clinical officer at J.J Clinic in Entebbe, says tonsillitis may be acute, sub-acute or chronic.
Acute infection may be caused by bacteria or virus while sub-acute infection is caused by baceterium actinàmyces and can last for three weeks to three months.
Chronic infection caused by bacteria lasts for long. Attacks happen recurrent.

Avoiding contamination
Properly wash your hands
Cough or sneeze into a handkerchief.
Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils. l Avoid close person-to-person contact until a 24-hour antibiotic treatment has started.

Symptoms and signs
Dr. Were says: “Onset is sudden, general feeling of malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, pain on swallowing, enlarged tender glands in the jaw and neck, hoarseness, nausea and vomiting.”

He adds that on oral examination, the tonsils appear red, swollen, tender and enlarged. White patches may also be present on the tonsillar tissue and occasional peritonsillar abscess forms which produces a large and painful swelling in the mouth.”

Treatment
Were says patients should seek immediate medical advice when they experience inability to drink or eat, sore throat, drooling, fever, headache and difficulty in breathing epecially if vomiting.

A laboratory culture and sensitivity test is done on a throat swab to diagnose the type of infection.

“Treatment normally includes prescription of antibiotics and pain killers. Pain management in the form of throat lozenges is also recommended,” adds Kugonza.

Surgery may be recommended if an abscess does not improve with antibiotic treatment, or if swollen tonsils are blocking breathing.

Implications of infection
Dr. Were says if tonsillitis is not treated or managed well, it could result in complications that include:
Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses.
Otitis media, an inflammation of the lining of the middle ear.

Peritonsillar abcess (quinsy), that is, pus collecting in the tissue of the tonsil.
Infection of the lower respiratory tract
Enducaitlitis, that is, inflammation of the inner layer of the heart.

Kugonza says sometimes the abscess may spread into the blood stream developing into a condition called septiceamia.

Some strains of streptococcal bacteria that cause strep throat leading to tonsillitis can also cause kidney failure or rheumatic fever, a serious condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and the skin.

Home remedies
Drink more fluids especially warm liquids such as soup and tea.
Gurgle with warm salt water. Mix (1\4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) and spit out the water.

Use honey and lemon. Stir honey and lemon to taste into a glass of hot water. Allow it to cool to room temperature before you sip it. The honey coats and soothes the throat and the lemon helps reduce mucus. Do not use honey or corn syrup in a drink for children younger than one year.

Rest your voice. Talking may lead to more irritation and temporary loss of voice.
Avoid smoke and other pollutants. Smoke irritates a sore throat.

Suck on a throat lozenge or hand candy. This stimulates saliva production, which bathes and cleanses the throat.

Hupidify the air. Adding moisture to the air can reduce throat irritation and make it easier to sleep.

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