The tonsils are two clumps of lymphoid tissue embedded on either side of the throat. They are part of the lymphatic system and help to fight infection by trapping bacterial or viral organisms that enter the mouth. The tonsils can become infected and have pus or white discharge coming out of it. Difficulty swallowing, a sore throat and swollen glands in the back of the neck are symptoms commonly associated with diseases of the tonsils.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the tonsils due to a bacterial or viral infection. The tonsils are the immune system's first line of defense filtering bacterial or viral organisms. Bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus in addition to Epstein Barr virus become trapped in the tonsils causing the inflammation associated with tonsillitis. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics such as penicillin is prescribed for a period of 10 days while symptom relief medications are prescribed for viral infections of the tonsils. According to MayoClinic.com, swollen tonsils, a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a fever are symptoms commonly associated with tonsillitis.
Peritonsillar Abcess
Peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis due a group A Streptococci infection. Bacterial infection of the tonsillitis can cause an accumulation of pus in tissues of the throat surrounding the tonsils. In severe causes, the peritonsillar abscess may rupture and release pus into the chest, lungs and throat further spreading the infection. For bacterial infections of the tonsils leading to peritonsillar abscess, antibiotics and pain medications are the treatment of choice. In some cases, the abscess needs to be drained via a surgery procedure. According to Medline Plus, symptoms commonly associated with peritonsillar abscess include drooling, sore throat, headache, fever and facial swelling.
Tonsillar Cancer
According to the Merck Manual, tonsillar cancer is strongly linked to smoking and drinking to men between the ages of 50 and 70. Recent studies also suggest that the human papillomavirus may be a causative agent in tonsillar cancer. Initial symptoms of tonsillar cancer include a sore throat and pain radiating from the tonsils to the ear. In some cases, a lump develops in the back of the neck as the cancerous cells metastasize from the tonsils to the lymph nodes. Tonsillar cancer is typically treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgical removal of the tumor and lymph nodes in the neck.
