Do you also have swollen tonsils along with a sore throat? Let's talk about tonsillitis!

A sore throat is something that almost everyone experiences. Sometimes, along with this sore throat, the tonsils on either side of the mouth become swollen and red. This is what we call tonsillitis . So, today, shall we talk about tonsillitis in a little more detail ? I will explain everything you need to know about it in a simple way.

What is Tonsillitis?

Okay, let's first look at what Tonsillitis is. Simply put, tonsillitis is an infection and swelling of the two glands called tonsils, which are located in the back of your throat, at the base of your tongue. Think of these tonsils as two sentinels that fight off germs that enter your body. They are part of your immune system . They help protect your body from germs. But sometimes, even these sentinels can't keep up with the amount of germs that enter. That's when the tonsils themselves become infected, swollen, and red. Sometimes, you can see yellow or white patches on them.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Now let's look at the symptoms of tonsillitis. You may experience things like:

• Severe sore throat: This is the main symptom. It may even feel difficult to swallow.
• Tonsils are red and swollen: If you open your mouth, you will see that your tonsils are enlarged and red.
• White or yellow spots on the tonsils: Sometimes you can see white/yellow dots or a coating that looks like pus .
• Fever: The body temperature may increase and a fever may occur.
• Swollen lymph nodes around the neck: The lymph nodes on either side of the neck may swell, resembling small lumps that can be felt in the hand.
• Difficulty swallowing : Difficulty swallowing food and drink, accompanied by pain.
• Voice changes: Some people may experience hoarseness.
• Bad breath.
• It can come with symptoms of common viral infections, such as headaches and body aches .

In addition to this, small babies may also experience things like loss of appetite, frequent crying, and excessive drooling.

Why does tonsillitis occur? What are the causes?

Okay, let's now look at why the tonsils become swollen and infected. There are two main reasons.

1. Viruses: Most of the time, about 7 out of 10 cases of tonsillitis are caused by viral infections. The same viruses that cause colds and flu are largely responsible for this. Examples include adenovirus and influenza. When caused by a virus, symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and body aches are usually present.

2. Bacteria: Sometimes tonsillitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection. The most important of these is the bacteria called `Streptococcus` . We also call the throat infection caused by this `(Strep throat)`. A bacterial infection can be a little more severe. You may have a high fever, white pus spots may be clearly visible on the tonsils, and the lumps in the neck may also swell more. Like with a virus, the cold and cough may disappear.

So, it's important to know exactly whether it's caused by a virus or bacteria, because the treatment will vary accordingly.

Do you need to see a doctor if your tonsils are infected?

"Oh, do I always have to run to the doctor when my tonsils are swollen?" you might think. If you have a mild sore throat and your tonsils are slightly swollen, and if they subside in a couple of days, you can try a few things at home. However, if you have any of these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor:

• If the throat pain is severe: If it is so difficult that you cannot even swallow saliva.
• If you have difficulty breathing or feel like you are snoring.
• If it is very difficult to swallow food and drink.
• If the fever is higher than 101°F (38.3°C), or if the fever has not decreased for more than two days.
• If the lump in the neck is very large and swollen and there is so much pain that you can't put your hand on it.
• If you have a fever with a rash (this can be a sign of some bacterial infections).
• If the sore throat lasts more than 3-4 days and does not improve.
• If only one side of the tonsil is very swollen and appears to be pushed towards the other side. (This may be a sign of a `(peritonsillar abscess)`, I will talk about that later).

If a young child has a fever, refuses to eat or drink, has difficulty breathing, or seems more ill than usual, it is important to see a doctor immediately.

Remember, if in doubt, it is wise to seek advice from a doctor.

How does a doctor know for sure if you have tonsillitis?

When you go to a doctor, he will first ask you about your problems and how long you have had them. Then, he will examine your throat. He will check to see if your tonsils are swollen, red, or have white patches. He will also feel your neck to see if your lymph nodes are swollen.

Sometimes, especially if a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, is suspected, a doctor may do a throat swab. This involves taking a small piece of cotton swab from the tonsils and sending it to a lab to test . This will tell you exactly whether a bacteria is present and, if so, what type. This rapid strep test can sometimes give results in just a few minutes. Alternatively, a throat culture can be sent and you can get a more accurate result in a day or two.

These tests are the ones that determine exactly whether tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacteria, because the treatment method is determined based on that.

What are the treatments for Tonsillitis?

The treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause, whether it's viral or bacterial.

Things you can do at home:

Whatever the reason, you may find relief with these things:

• Get plenty of rest: Resting your body is very important for speedy recovery.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Things like water, warm soups, and fruit juices (non-acidic) can help reduce dryness in the throat and help you feel better.
• Eat soft foods: Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as porridge, yogurt, and mashed potatoes, as they can hurt your throat.
• Gargling with salt water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with it several times a day to reduce pain and swelling. (This may be difficult for young children to do.)
• Painkillers and fever reducers: You can use paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed by your doctor to reduce fever and pain. (Aspirin should not be given to children under 18 years of age, especially if they have a viral infection, as it can cause a dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome.)
• Suck on throat lozenges: For older children, these can provide relief from a sore throat.
• Increase humidity: If the air in the room is dry, using a humidifier or inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water can help reduce throat dryness.

Medical treatment:

• Viral Tonsillitis: If it is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help.Because `(antibiotics)` only work on bacteria. At this point, all you have to do is follow the home remedies mentioned above and let your body fight the virus on its own and get better. It usually gets better within 7-10 days.
• Bacterial Tonsillitis: If you have tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics . It is very important to take these medications exactly as prescribed, for the full course. Even if you feel better in two or three days, you should take the entire course of medication. If you don't, the bacteria may not be completely gone, and the infection may return and cause serious complications.

What can happen if tonsillitis is not treated properly?

Tonsillitis is usually a treatable condition if treated properly. However, if a bacterial infection (such as ``Strep throat'') is not treated properly, complications can sometimes occur. Don't worry, these don't happen very often, but it's good to be aware of them.

• Peritonsillar abscess: This is a collection of pus around the tonsils. The tonsil on one side may become very swollen and may push into the middle of the throat. It can be difficult to open the mouth and swallow. This requires immediate medical attention. The pus needs to be drained.
• Spread of infection: Infection in the tonsils can spread to the middle ear (otitis media), deeper tissues in the neck, or even the lungs (pneumonia). However, these are very rare.
• Rheumatic fever: This is the most dangerous complication of `(Strep throat)` if it is not treated properly. It can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin. That is why it is important to take `(antibiotics)` if you have `(Strep throat)`.
• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis: This is also a rare condition that affects the kidneys after a strep throat infection. It also causes the kidneys to swell.

That's why it's important to see a doctor and get treatment for a sore throat, especially if it's accompanied by a fever, without taking it lightly.

If your tonsils are constantly swollen, should you consider having them surgically removed? (Tonsillectomy)

Some people get tonsillitis several times a year. This means that the tonsils are often swollen, they get a fever, and they can't go to school or work. Or, the tonsils are so large that they make it difficult to breathe, especially at night, causing snoring and suffocation (`(sleep apnea)`). In such cases, doctors recommend removing the tonsils with a surgery called tonsillectomy .

This recommendation is usually given:

• If you get tonsillitis more than 7 times a year.
• If it has occurred more than 5 times in a single year in the last two years .
• If you have had more than 3 outbreaks in a year in the past 3 years , have seen a doctor each time, and have had symptoms such as fever and swollen glands in the neck.
• If more than one peritonsillar abscess has formed.
• If you have difficulty breathing (obstructive sleep apnea) because your tonsils are too large .

Your doctor will decide whether you need this surgery. He or she will assess your condition and decide if it is right for you. Not everyone will need to have their tonsils removed.

Are there ways to prevent tonsillitis?

Since tonsillitis is a disease caused by germs, there are some things we can do to reduce its occurrence.

• Wash your hands often: Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help stop the spread of many germs. Wash your hands especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing or coughing.
• Stay away from people who are sick: There is a greater chance of spreading germs when you are in close contact with people who have a sore throat or cold.
• Do not share food, drinks, dishes, or cutlery with others: it is better to use only what you use.
• If you have tonsillitis, help prevent yourself from spreading it to others: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash. Avoid hugging or kissing other people until you are well.
• Avoid smoking and stay away from smoky places: Smoking damages the tissues of the throat, making you more susceptible to infections.

By following these simple health habits, you can protect yourself from not only tonsillitis, but also many other diseases.