Tonsillitis
Tasks of the tonsils
Tonsils (tonsilla palatina) are the "waldeyer ring" element, a group of lymph node rings located in the throat area. Their main function is to filter microorganisms that infect the upper respiratory tract and to initiate an immune response. Infection of these tissues is called "tonsillitis" or "tonsillitis".
How is tonsil infection transmitted?
Tonsil infection can occur due to viruses, bacteria and rarely fungal-derived microorganisms. The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Often the causative agents are viruses and are transmitted by the oral intake of droplets suspended in the air and emitted by hand contact or sneezing / coughing. In other words, after touching the mouth after contact with the hand, germs that cause disease can cause infection.
What are the microbes that cause tonsil infection?
Bacterial and viral factors can cause tonsillitis. The common cause of tonsil infection is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Other common causes are:
- Adenoviruses
- Flu virus (Influenza virus)
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Parainfluenza viruses
- Enteroviruses
- Herpes simplex virus
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
Symptoms of tonsillitis are:
- Sore throat or tenderness
- Have tonsils rash
- Coating of white or yellow membranes on the tonsils
- Sore sore blisters or ulcers
- Hoarseness or loss of voice
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Earache
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth
- Swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck or chin area
- Fever, chills
- Bad breath
- Children may also experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
What is a beta microbe?
Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus is known as "beta microbe" and can cause symptoms such as sore throat, high fever, difficulty swallowing, anorexia, weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Since it may cause diseases such as heart rheumatism and joint rheumatism, which can cause Acute Rheumatic Fever Disease, penicillin and similar antibiotics are used in case of isolation of this microbe. The disease causes migratory joint involvement. Beta microbes are isolated in only 10-15% of tonsillitis with fever.
Factors that facilitate tonsil infection
Tonsil infection is more common in children between 6 months and 6 years of age. Especially after the age of 9, there is a decrease in the lymphatic activity of the immune system, that is, a more exaggerated immune response to microorganisms can occur in young children. Apart from these, many factors such as genetic predisposition, vitamin deficiency, the presence of additional diseases and drug use that suppress the immune system, the existence of a lifestyle that disrupts body resistance (irregular life), smoking, working in a crowded environment can facilitate tonsil infection.
Tonsillitis treatment
General condition and fever follow-up are important in patients with tonsillitis. Since it is thought that viruses cause infection in patients without fever and only muscle joint pain and body malaise, it is important to increase the daily fluid intake and reduce the resting period. It is especially beneficial to consume products such as prebiotic ginger, garlic, yam and eat red seasonal fruits and vegetables with antioxidant properties.
If fever is among the symptoms of the disease and the fever lasts more than two days at 38 degrees and above, it is appropriate to add antibiotics to the treatment. If there is no fever, antibiotics should not be used and a doctor should be consulted.
In patients with recurrent attacks of tonsillitis, tonsillectomy is planned. You can find information about tonsil surgery at the following links >> Tonsillectomy Operation in Istanbul
When are antibiotics necessary in the treatment of tonsillitis?
In patients with tonsillitis, if the fever is 38 degrees and above, general body malaise increases, and fever lasts longer than 2 days, assuming that the causative microbes are drums, "antibiotics", which are antibacterial drugs, can be used. As seen in the photo above, viral tonsill infections with white membranes and white tonsil stones can be mistakenly mistaken for "cryptic tonsillitis", which means severe tonsillitis, and antibiotic treatment can be started early. Again, if beta microbes are isolated in the throat culture, antibiotic treatment can be planned.
Unconscious use of antibiotics can cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and weakness. In addition, the use of antibiotics in low doses or short-term causes them to develop resistance to antibiotics that do not kill bacteria completely. If the person has tonsillitis more than 5-6 times a year, it may require tonsil surgery. Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) can be used in the treatment of frequently recurrent tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis, or bacterial tonsillitis that does not respond to antibiotic therapy.
How should people with tonsillitis be fed and what should they pay attention to?
It is appropriate for patients with tonsillitis to pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Daily liquid consumption (can also be increased by eating warm, warm herbal teas and juicy fruits / vegetables)
- Increasing the daily rest period (it can be in the form of sleeping early for the first 2 or 3 days ...)
- Taking prebiotic and probiotic products orally (garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, ginger, kefir ...)
- Consumption of warm, antioxidant and vitamin soups (for example, 3 cups of red lentil soup per day (potato, parsley, onion, carrot and lemon can be added))
Do not use antiseptic mouthwashes for a long time considering that they are protective!
Antiseptic throat rinses should not be used for more than 1 week (there is a study showing that it can facilitate the growth of bacteria that can cause heart disease, as they kill beneficial bacteria in the throat (or bacteria that have an effect on lowering blood pressure) when used continuously and for a long time. If you want to read a good article about >> Mouthwashes 'can raise risk of heart attack and strokes': Antiseptic
gargles kill good bacteria that help keep blood pressure down
Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul
Private Office:
Address: İncirli Cad. No:41, Kat:4 (Dilek Patisserie Building), Postal code: 34147, Bakırköy - İstanbul
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Fax: +90 212 542 74 47
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