Tonsillitis is a common sickness that can affect anyone.
If you or someone you know has tonsillitis, then I hope that this information will help you.
What's the cause? Tonsillitis is an acute inflammation of the tonsils usually caused by Streptococci and often occurs when resistance to infection is low, like after a viral infection.
Yes! Streptococci.
Everyone carries Streptococci.
If you do a nose swab traces will normally be detected but in a healthy individual the immune system can normally fight the Streptococci and prevent it from causing any problems, that's why tonsillitis occurs following a recent illness.
Just when your body is at its weakess! I'd say it's an opportunistic bug! If you're not from the health profession, here's a tip for you: TIP: words ending in "itis" means inflammation.
Q.
What does "Laryngitis" mean? A.
Inflammation of the Larynx What are the signs and symptoms of tonsillitis? Well these include enlarged redden tonsils, sore throat, pain on swallowing, muscle aching and a high grade fever.
Treatment (Rx) is concentrated on eliminating the infection.
A swab is normally taken to identify the organism causing the infection and Rx is with the use of antibiotics.
If repeat tonsillitis occurs frequently, then tonsillectomy is an option.
This is the removal of the tonsils through surgery.
More importantly, REST!.
Rest as much as possible and drink lots of fluids.
TIP: Rx stands for treatment, so next time you see it in the nursing notes, you'll know exactly what it means.
Well there you have it, tonsillitis unravelled!