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$Title{Tonsillitis}
A Medical Times Patient Education Chart
(C) Romaine Pierson Publishers, Inc.
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Tonsillitis
What Are Tonsils?
Tonsils are gland-like structures that are located along the sides and
back of the throat. They are made up of lymph tissue and are covered by
mucous membranes.
There are three types of tonsils. The pharyngeal tonsils (also known as
adenoids, particularly when they are swollen), are embedded in the upper back
wall of the mouth, behind the nose. The lingual tonsil is located in the back
of the mouth, near where the tongue is anchored. The paired palatine tonsils
are on either side of the tongue, under the arches of the mouth. Tonsillitis
generally refers to inflammation of the palatine tonsils.
One of the functions of the lymphatic system is to develop immune
responses to ward off infection and disease. As part of that system, the
palatine tonsils filter out and defend the body against disease-causing
organisms entering through the nose and mouth. Being on the first line of
defense, however, means that the tonsils are continually exposed to these
harmful organisms. If the tonsils become infected, tonsillitis results. Most
cases of tonsillitis occur in children under eight years old, although some
adults continue to develop tonsillitis.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Infection causes the tonsils to become inflamed and bright red. Other
signs of tonsillitis are sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, and sometimes
pain extending up to the ear. Tonsillitis may also cause fever, headaches,
and vomiting.
Determining the Cause
Your doctor will examine your throat and, if the tonsils appear inflamed,
do a throat culture to determine the cause of the problem. Other members of
your household should also have throat cultures and receive any necessary
treatment to avoid passing the illness back and forth.
If a virus caused the tonsillitis, treatment will include an analgesic
and rest. If the streptococcus bacteria is the cause, penicillin is usually
given for ten days. The throat culture may later be repeated to see if the
treatment was effective.
Must the Tonsils Be Removed?
Years ago, the tonsils were often surgically removed even if only minor
infections occurred, or sometimes even before any problems had arisen.
Nowadays, surgery is performed only if tonsillitis occurs several times a
year, or if the condition continues and the tonsils become so enlarged that
swallowing and breathing become increasingly difficult.
Children undergoing the procedure, known as tonsillectomy, receive
general anesthesia. Following the operation, the child will still have a sore
throat and difficulty in swallowing. Both conditions should clear up in a
week or so. A possible postoperative complication is bleeding and spitting up
of blood. This should receive prompt medical attention. An adult can have a
tonsillectomy with only a local anesthesia. The operation may cause more
postoperative pain for adults and require longer hospitalization and recovery
time than it does for children.