About Tonsillitis

In 2010, the data reported that tonsillectomy is performed less frequently as compared to 1970s in the U.S. In children, it remains the second most common outpatient surgical procedure. The cost of this surgery in the United States is estimated as the US $4,400 as of 2013. Childhood tonsillectomy is very common in the U.S. as it ranked highest in the world.

The pharyngeal tonsils that are glands at the back of the throat, visible through the mouth set on the inflammation, known as Tonsillitis.  The inflammation might infect back of the throat, including the adenoids and the lingual tonsils (tonsil tissue at the back of the tongue). Variations of tonsillitis are observed such as acute, recurrent, chronic tonsillitis, and peritonsillar abscess. Factors like viral or bacterial infections or immunologic factors cause tonsillitis and complications related to it. Approximately, all children in the United States experience of tonsillitis.

There are three types of Tonsillitis as mentioned below:

• Acute tonsillitis: It can either be caused by bacteria or a virus
• Sub-acute tonsillitis: It is caused by bacteria
• Chronic tonsillitis: It is also caused by bacteria, which can last for long periods

Causes of Tonsillitis

Most commonly Tonsillitis is caused by viruses, but bacterial infections can also be the cause. Streptococcus pyogenes from group ‘A’, a streptococcus is the most common bacteria that can cause Tonsillitis. Basically, our tonsils are the immune system’s first fighter against viruses and bacteria in the mouth. This function of the tonsils lasts up to puberty. Tonsils are vulnerable to inflammation and infections up to puberty.

Diagnosis of Tonsillitis

To diagnose Tonsillitis, the doctor will examine your child physically. The doctor will check the child’s throat, ears, and nose. Rash known as scarlatina, which is associated with some cases of strep throat can occur, so, your doctor will check it. There will be checking for swollen glands and enlargement of the spleen.

Throat swab

This test will be taken to check streptococcal bacteria in the child’s throat.

Complete blood cell count (CBC)

This test will be taken to check abnormalities in the blood, to check whether the infection is viral or bacterial.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Generally, Tonsillitis occurs in preschool children and mid-teenagers. Tonsillitis shows some common symptoms such as, red, swollen tonsils, white or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils, sore throat difficult or painful swallowing, fever, enlarged, tender glands in the neck, a scratchy, muffled or throaty voice, bad breath, stomachache, particularly in younger children, stiff neck and headache.

Tonsillitis can occur in very young children, they cannot express how and what they feel. There are some symptoms on the basis of which we can identify that; they might be suffering from Tonsillitis. Symptoms are, drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing, refusal to eat, and unusual fussiness.

Treatment for Tonsillitis

Generally, Tonsillitis is treated with a regimen of antibiotics. Fluid replacement and pain control are important to fight against Tonsillitis. Hospitalization may be required in rare cases when it is severe like there is airway obstruction. When the condition is recurrent then a surgical procedure is recommended to remove the tonsils.  In the case of Peritonsillar abscess, you may need more urgent treatment to drain the abscess.

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic drug that treats Tonsilitis i.e bacterial infections. The medicine treats only bacterial infections and not viral infections like common cold or flu. It restricts the growth of bacteria in the body. Clarithromycin also treats stomach ulcers with a combination of anti-ulcer medications. A top brand like Biaxin uses Clarithromycin as an active ingredient in their products to treat Cancer. Available dosages of this medicine are Clarithromycin 250 mg and Clarithromycin 500 mg. It is composed as a yellow oval conventional capsule and packed as 10 pills per strip. The top-rated Nicholas pharmaceutical company offers this drug.

Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic drug that treats Pharyngitis or Tonsilitis i.e. bacterial infections. It treats only bacterial infections not viral infections like common cold or flu and restricts the growth of bacteria in the body. Cefuroxime is an active ingredient used in similar drugs like Cenftin. The medicine is available in dosages Cefuroxime 125 mg, Cefuroxime 250 mg, and Cefuroxime 500 mg. The medicine is composed as a white oval conventional capsule and packed as 4 capsules per blister. Effectiveness of the medicine can be observed after 4 hours after a dose. Glaxo, the leading pharmaceutical offers this medicine.