The tonsils are lymph nodes located in the back of the mouth and throat; their primary function is to filter bacteria and help prevent infection in the body. Tonsils that cannot fight off bacteria or virus could become suddenly inflamed and swollen, a condition known as acute tonsillitis. Anyone can develop acute tonsillitis, and it is most common in children.
Causes
Viruses cause most cases of acute tonsillitis. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus and the measles virus cause most cases of acute tonsillitis. Bacteria is less likely to cause tonsillitis, accounting for 15 percent to 30 percent of the cases; most bacterial cases are caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Often a throat swab culture will determine the actual cause of acute tonsillitis.
Signs And Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of acute tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, painful swallowing, moderate to high fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Severe cases of tonsillitis could cause fatigue and weakness. Symptoms of acute tonsillitis requiring immediate medical care include difficulty breathing and extreme difficulty swallowing . In addition to these signs of tonsillitis, medical professionals may look to see if the tonsils are coated or have white spots on them.
Treatment
Bacterial caused acute tonsillitis is treated with an antibiotic, including penicillin. Tonsillitis caused by a viral infection can best be treated through active self care; this includes rest, extra fluids, gargling with salt water, throat lozenges and over-the-counter pain medication. In the rare case acute tonsillitis does not respond to treatment or becomes a reoccurring condition, the tonsils may be surgically removed by a procedure called a tonsillectomy.
Prognosis And Prevention
MedlinePlus reports that acute tonsillitis generally improves two to three days after the start of treatment. Antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis caused by bacteria must be completely finished, even after symptoms have gone away. Children with symptoms of acute tonsillitis should be kept home until symptoms clear; this reduces the chance of spreading the disease.
The most effective tool in the prevention of tonsillitis is proper hygiene. Like any bacteria or virus, those that cause acute tonsillitis are highly contagious. Frequent hand washing and avoiding sharing food or drink help lessen the chances of contracting tonsillitis.
Complications
While rare, the possibility of complications resulting from acute tonsillitis exists. According to MedlinePlus, possible complications associated with this condition include blocked airway, dehydration, kidney failure, an abscess in the throat and rheumatic fever. These complications require immediate medical attention. MedlinePlus also recommends contacting a health care provider if symptoms of acute tonsillitis begin to worsen or last longer than 48 hours.
