TONSILLITIS

Tonsils and Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis most often occurs in children; The tonsils are located in the back of the throat. Although the tonsils have a role in helping treat infection, the tonsils can become part of the infection as well. There are three sets of tonsil: The palatine tonsils, the lingual tonsils and the adenoids. Typically it is the palatine tonsils and adenoids which get infected and possibly removed during surgery. When this happens, removal of the tonsils will improve your child's health. Removal of the tonsils has not led to an increase in infections or a loss of immune (disease fighting) function. This is because there are hundreds of other lymph nodes in the head and neck that perform the same function.

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Infection in the back of the throat (pharyngitis) can also accompany tonsillitis as well as infection of the adenoids (adenoiditis) common causes of the infection are virus, streptococcal bacteria (strep throat), as well as other bacterial strains.

Symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, sore throat, foul breath, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing), tender cervical lymph nodes. Airway obstruction due to swollen tonsils may cause mouth breathing, snoring, nocturnal breathing pauses, or sleep apnea, tiredness and malaise and earache as well.
Recurrent and Chronic tonsillitis can occur when an individuals suffers chronic sore throat. Other symptoms include halitosis, chronic neck discomfort, tonsil stones, and persistently tender cervical nodes. Occasionally an infection can occur on the inside surface of the tonsil. This can for a ball of pus called a peritonsillar abscess which may need to be drained.

Adenoids and Adenoiditis
The adenoid is tonsil tissue that sits at the back of the nose. It also aids in our immunity like the tonsils. Sometimes the adenoid tissue can get infected, and most commonly in children, get infected at the same time as the tonsils. This is called adenoiditis.

The adenoids, like the tonsils, will shrink with age.. Sometimes, the adenoid continues to to stay large and lead to chronic ear infections, snoring and poor speech.

Treatment of both tonsillitis and adenoiditis is with a course of antibiotics directed at the bacteria causing the infection. In cases of recurrent tonsillitis, chronic infections, chronic ear infections, strep throat, abscess, a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) is recommended.