Tonsillitis occurs when the two pads on the side of the throat, known as the tonsils, become inflamed. The condition is typically caused by a virus, such as the ones that lead to the common cold or flu, but it also can be the result of a bacterial infection.
If you or your child have tonsillitis, our team at North Georgia ENT will determine what’s causing your symptoms and provide treatment to bring you back to full health.
What Are the Tonsils?
The tonsils are pads of tissue that prevent germs from entering the body.
What Are the Symptoms of Tonsillitis?
Along with red and swollen tonsils, symptoms include a fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, bad breath, tenderness in the lymph nodes, hoarse voice and pain in the head, neck or stomach. Most often, symptoms last around three to seven days.
Is Tonsillitis Contagious?
While tonsillitis is not contagious, many of the infections that cause it are.
How Is Tonsilitis Treated?
Because the proper treatment for tonsilitis depends on whether it’s caused by a virus or a bacterial infection, it’s important to visit your doctor for a diagnosis. If our ENT determines your symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If the infection is caused by a virus, pain relievers, drinking fluids and rest will be recommended.
Will I Need To Have My Tonsils Removed?
A tonsillectomy is usually only recommended if you experience multiple cases of tonsillitis. If our otolaryngologist determines that this is the best course of action for you, they’ll guide you through what to expect during the procedure, how to prepare for it and what aftercare will be like.
What Next?
If you or your child have symptoms of tonsillitis, our team at North Georgia ENT will help you determine what’s causing them, as well as the best plan for treatment–whether that’s rest, medication or surgery. Call us today to get started and receive a customized treatment plan.
Adenoiditis
You’re probably familiar with tonsillitis, an infection of the tonsils caused by viruses and bacteria but did you know your adenoids can also become infected? Your adenoids are a pair of soft tissues masses located behind the nose and roof of the mouth that trap germs and create antibodies that aid the immune system in fighting off infection.
Since your adenoids play such a key role in protection, they often come into contact with germs and then become infected. This condition is known as adenoiditis.
Causes
Adenoid infections often affect children, but are nearly unheard of in adults; this is because the tissues begin to shrink around the age of 5 or 6, and disappear completely in most people by the time they reach their teens.
Virtually any virus or bacteria can cause an infection of the adenoids.
Symptoms
Enlarged adenoids can block airflow through your nose, which can lead to mouth breathing, snoring and a dry and sore throat. Yellow or green discharge from the nose can also occur. In addition to swollen adenoids, infected adenoids can lead to middle ear infections, sinusitis and a chest infection.
Treatments
Because adenoiditis symptoms closely mirror other conditions, an in-depth examination is necessary in order to properly diagnose the condition. Your child’s doctor will examine their ears, nose and throat, and check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck. X-rays may be ordered because the adenoids are often difficult to observe visually.
If the cause of adenoiditis is viral in nature, it should run its course in a matter of days. Symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications (antihistamines, decongestants or pain relievers), fluids and rest. If a bacterial infection is to blame, antibiotics are the usual method of treatment.
Chronic ear infections, a frequent cause of adenoiditis, may require surgical treatment. This procedure to remove the adenoids, known as an adenoidectomy, is routine and performed on an outpatient basis. It is often recommended that a tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils) be performed at the same time, since tonsillitis and adenoiditis often occur simultaneously.
Recovering from Surgery
If surgery is required to remove the tonsils and adenoids, recovery usually takes seven to ten days. The following steps are recommended to make it as painless and smooth as possible:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat a soft diet initially.
- Increase activity slowly.
- Take pain medication as prescribed.
Keep in mind that scabs will form where the tonsils and adenoids were removed. These should fall off five to ten days after surgery. There should not be any bleeding other than a little spotting in the saliva. If bright red blood is seen, contact a physician immediately.
Call North Georgia ENT for more information or to schedule an appointment.