Tonsils are a group of lymphoid tissues involved in the body’s immune system. Inside the tonsils, there are various types of white blood cells whose main function is to capture and destroy pathogens entering the body through the digestive tract. A secondary function is to produce immunity.
Location of the Tonsils
Tonsils can be found in several locations. The ones we see are located on the sides of the oral cavity and are called Palatine tonsils. Additionally, tonsils can also be found at the base of the tongue (lingual tonsils) and the area behind the nasal cavity (adenoid tonsils).
Tonsillitis & Pharyngitis: Are They the Same or Different?
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, while “pharyngitis” usually refers to inflammation of the tissues in the throat behind the oral cavity. Sometimes, both conditions can occur simultaneously.
Risk Groups for Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is most commonly found in children under 10 years old because after the age of 10, the tonsils function less or may stop functioning altogether. However, young adults under 20 years old can still develop tonsillitis. It is uncommon to find tonsillitis in middle-aged patients.
Symptoms of Acute Tonsillitis
Patients with acute tonsillitis will have symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing, especially pain when swallowing food. Children may drool because swallowing is difficult, and saliva cannot go down, so it flows out. Patients with severe sore throat may vomit after eating because eating disturbs the already painful throat.
Causes of Acute Tonsillitis?
Acute tonsillitis may be caused by viral and bacterial infections. Fungal or tuberculosis infections are rare causes. In preschool children, acute tonsillitis is often caused by viruses and is highly contagious because they do not know how to protect themselves. Transmission occurs through breathing, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating and drinking utensils. In older children and adults, acute tonsillitis is usually caused by bacterial infections.
If acute tonsillitis occurs frequently, the tonsils will enlarge and become chronic, with episodes of acute inflammation recurring. Enlarged tonsils create grooves or pockets where food debris can get trapped, potentially causing prolonged inflammation.
Treatment of Acute Tonsillitis
Usually, doctors treat symptoms such as sore throat relief, decongestants, or fever reducers. Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs are given to eliminate the causative pathogens if the inflammation is bacterial. The medication should be taken for an adequate duration, such as 7-10 days. Currently, penicillin group antibiotics are still effective except for some resistant strains, in which case stronger antibiotics are necessary.
In severe cases, such as intense sore throat preventing food intake and high fever, doctors may recommend hospitalization for intravenous fluids and antibiotics, which can relieve symptoms faster than oral medication.
If the cause is viral, doctors will only provide symptomatic treatment because antibiotics cannot kill viruses. Without treatment, tonsil inflammation may spread, causing an abscess around the tonsils (peritonsillar abscess), which can extend through the throat to the lungs and heart. Additionally, bacteria may enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, a very dangerous condition that can be fatal.
How to Care for Yourself When You Have Tonsillitis?
- Eat soft foods such as rice porridge or congee that are not too hot
- Avoid spicy or strongly flavored foods
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages
- Avoid using your voice temporarily
- After eating, try to clean your throat by brushing your teeth or gargling with mouthwash, warm saline, or plain water after every meal. Poor oral hygiene can leave food debris in the mouth and throat, worsening tonsillitis.
Tonsillectomy “Has No Harmful Effects on the Body”
Doctors explain that tonsillectomy is performed to prevent frequent infections because the removed tonsils are usually non-functional and do not kill pathogens but instead serve as reservoirs for pathogens. Removing them has no harmful effects. The lymph nodes in the throat, which are abundant, take over the role of trapping pathogens. Doctors will consider tonsillectomy when…
- There is chronic tonsillitis that does not respond to medication or occurs multiple times per year for several consecutive years, significantly reducing the patient’s quality of life, such as missing work or school
- The tonsils are so enlarged that they obstruct the airway, causing snoring and sleep apnea
- Doctors suspect tonsil cancer or lymphoma in the neck but cannot locate the primary cancer site and suspect it originates from the tonsils
