Tonsils or tonsils are two lymph nodes on both sides of the back of the throat . Tonsils are part of the immune system cells that contain antibodies to trap and kill bacterial and viral pathogens in the course of entering the body .
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils tonsils become so swollen, red , softened and has white spots on its surface . This swelling is caused by either a viral or bacterial infection .
There are many viruses that can cause tonsillitis , the most common is the Epstein-Barr virus and Coxsackie virus . Among the bacteria that cause tonsillitis , group A streptococcus is the most common .
Why tonsils infected ?
Because of its function as a bastion of resistance to infection , tonsils prone to infection . However , the function of the tonsils has declined as a teenager and adult . That is why the rare tonsillitis in adults . ( Most common in children aged 3 to 7 years ) .
Healing and complications
When no complications , tonsillitis usually only lasts about a few days and go away without treatment . Tonsillitis because the virus can last longer until a matter of weeks .
Complications can occur if there is a secondary infection in the middle ear or sinuses . A streptococci can even spread through the body and infect vital organs , especially the heart . This can cause permanent damage , resulting in heart disease in the future .
Another possible complication of tonsillitis is a peritonsillar abscess ( quinsy ) . It occurs when a group of bacteria encouraged by the growth of new tissue . This abscess was not in the tonsils anymore but on one side . Unlike simple tonsillitis , quinsy tends to be felt on one side of the throat . Patients with this condition often seen cocking his head to one side to relieve the pain . Quinsy occurs in about 1 out of 3,000 people per year and is more common in adolescents with tonsillitis .
When to consult a doctor ?
Consultation with your doctor if your child has :
A sore throat that does not go away in a few days
difficulty swallowing
high fever
Vomiting
Fatigue or lethargy
difficulty in breathing
snore
Poor appetite
Bad breath
treatment
In most people , the infection caused by the virus only needs to be treated with paracetamol to reduce fever . Pain reliever may also be useful to reduce pain .
Tonsillitis caused by bacteria may need to be treated with antibiotics ( eg, penicillin or erythromycin , if allergic to penicillin ) . If your child gets antibiotics , it is important to take medicine to completion so that the bacteria completely destroyed and not become drug resistant .
tonsil Surgery
Surgery to remove the tonsils ( tonsillectomy ) - used to be common practice to treat tonsillitis - only when tonsillitis often recurrent or chronic , do not respond to treatment or cause serious complications . Removal of tonsils is not a bad effect on the overall immune power . However, these operations are now relatively rare compared to first
