When experiencing a ‘sore throat’ , we often think it is a symptom of a cold or possibly due to insufficient rest causing discomfort. However, if the symptom persists for a while or even after taking sore throat or cold medicine the condition does not improve, and if the sore throat worsens or recurs frequently becoming a chronic problem along with bad breath, this may be a sign of “tonsillitis”. If left untreated, the condition may spread to other organs.
“Tonsils” – the first gate that one day may become damaged
Tonsils… are a type of lymph node located at the top of the throat, which is a collection point for white blood cells. They can be compared to the body’s first gate that helps protect you from bacteria or viruses in the digestive and respiratory systems. If the tonsils become infected, it can cause “acute tonsillitis”, which if left untreated often becomes a chronic disease, accompanied by “bad breath” and becomes harder to treat. When the tonsils do not function well, various pathogens can enter the body more easily.
Streptococcus bacteria cause “tonsillitis” and sore throat
70-80% of tonsillitis cases are caused by viruses. Infection of the tonsils can spread and cause abscesses in the throat, middle ear infections, and bronchitis. In addition, tonsillitis caused by an important type of bacteria called “streptococcus” causes frequent sore throats and always requires treatment with antibiotics for at least 7-10 days to eliminate the risk of developing pyelonephritis or rheumatic heart disease, which are complications that occur after tonsillitis symptoms subside.
These symptoms are warning signs of.. tonsillitis
- Sore throat, pain when swallowing food or drinking water, tenderness when pressing the throat at the tonsil location due to enlarged, rough-surfaced tonsils
- Bad breath
- Fever, which can be high with chills or low-grade, depending on the type of pathogen
- Headache, body aches, possibly red eyes
- Stuffy nose, mild runny nose, usually clear mucus, possibly accompanied by ear pain because inflammation of the throat often affects the ear
- Tonsils may be slightly or significantly enlarged, usually on both sides
- Yellowish secretions covering or white/yellow spots resembling pus scattered around
- Enlarged and tender lymph nodes on both sides of the upper front neck
Treatment of tonsillitis
Treatment of tonsillitis caused by viruses generally involves doctors recommending sufficient rest, drinking plenty of water, taking pain relievers and fever reducers, or prescribing antibiotics to kill bacteria. If ‘chronic tonsillitis’ occurs, “surgical treatment” may be considered, depending on whether the tonsils have enlarged enough to obstruct the airway, causing the patient to snore or stop breathing during sleep, or if there is unilateral tonsil enlargement, which carries a risk of tonsil cancer.
