Causes and Symptoms of Tonsillitis:

Causes and Symptoms of Tonsillitis:

Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Other common causes include:

·         Adenoviruses

·         Influenza virus

·         Epstein-Barr virus

·         Parainfluenza viruses

·         Enteroviruses

·         Herpes simplex virus

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, sometimes severe enough to block the airways. Other symptoms include:

• ·         Throat pain or tenderness
• ·         Redness of the tonsils
• ·         A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
• ·         Painful blisters or ulcers on the throat
• ·         Hoarseness or loss of voice
• ·         Headache
• ·         Loss of appetite
• ·         Ear pain
• ·         Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth
• ·         Swollen glands in the neck or jaw area
• ·         Fever, chills
• ·         Bad breath

In children, symptoms may also include:

• ·         Nausea
• ·         Vomiting
• ·         Abdominal pain

Treatments for Tonsillitis:

Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause, your doctor may perform a rapid strep test or throat swab culture. Both tests involve gently swabbing the back of the throat close to the tonsils with a cotton swab. A lab test can detect a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria is negative. In some cases, the physical findings are convincing enough to diagnose a probable bacterial infection.  In these cases, antibiotics may be prescribed without performing a rapid strep test.

If tests reveal bacteria, treatment will consist of antibiotics to cure the infection. Antibiotics may be given as a single shot or taken 10 days by mouth. Although symptoms will likely improve within two or three days after starting the antibiotic, it's important to take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to make sure the bacteria are gone. Some people need to take a second course of antibiotics to cure the infection.

If the tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work and your body will fight off the infection on its own. In the meantime, there are things you can do to feel better, regardless of the cause.

They include:

• ·         Get enough rest
• ·         Drink warm or very cold fluids to ease throat pain
• ·         Eat smooth foods, such as flavored gelatins, ice cream, or applesauce
• ·         Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your room
• ·         Gargle with warm salt water
• ·         Suck on lozenges containing benzocaine or other anesthetics
• ·         Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.