Tonsillitis - Medtick
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Tonsillitis

What is it?

Tonsils are glands at the back of the throat behind the tongue and it is believed that it acts as a barrier against infection however your tonsils can become hot, red and swollen (inflamed) and that is normally caused by a throat infection causing tonsillitis.

  • It is common in children and can also occur in young adults known as glandular fever.
  • Removing tonsils is considered if:
    • Sore throats are due to tonsillitis.
    • If one has regular sore throats five or more episodes per year.
    • Symptoms  have been occurring a year.
    • Episodes of sore throats are disabling and affecting normal body function.

Contagious

You’re typically contagious one to two days before symptoms develop and may remain contagious until your symptoms go away. If you or your child is diagnosed with bacterial tonsillitis, you’re usually not contagious when your fever is gone and you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
Healthline

Medication

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

  • Viral:
    • Rhinovirus (Common cold and influenza)
    • Measles virus (measles)
    • Adenovirus (gastroenteritis)
    • Enterovirus (hand foot and mouth disease
    • Parainfluenza (laryngitis and croup)
  • Bacterial (rare):
  • Other infected person via sneezing and coughing
  • Air droplets
  • Direct contact: via kissing, sharing utensils, toothbrushes, towel or touching anything that has been near the mouth.

Symptoms

  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Ear infection (earache longer than four days) or an ear discharge?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Mouth infection (bad breath)?
  • Spots (can be pus filled and some will form in a large ulcer surrounded by red patch of discoloured sore looking skin) visible on throat/tongue or on tonsils (tonsils are floppy red flaps at side of throat not in middle)?
  • Difficulty opening the mouth and speaking?
  • Loss of voice?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

Reoccurring tonsillitis

  • If one has 7 or more significant episodes  (i.e. needed treatment and/or spread to household) in the last 12 months or 5 or more episodes in the last two years or 3 or more episodes in last 3 years then please speak to your medical Doctor.
  • If one has had a course of antibiotics and it has not helped then please speak to your medical doctor.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Tonsillitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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