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Tonsillitis The tonsils Tonsillitis is a very common childhood
ailment and is caused by the inflammation of the tonsils. So what are the
tonsils? The tonsils are masses of lymph tissue located on the right and
left at the back of the throat. Scientists are still trying to pin down
the exact function of the tonsils, but they surmise that the tonsils act
as a filter and prevent the spread of infections in the throat, mouth and
sinuses from spreading to other parts of the body. Studies also show that
the tonsils produce antibodies or cells that fight disease.
The causes As mentioned earlier, tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils get inflamed. Either bacteria or viruses can cause this inflammation. Younger children tend to be afflicted by viral tonsillitis, while older children and adults are more prone to bacterial infection. Tonsillitis can also sometimes be an offshoot of more serious illnesses like diphtheria, scarlet fever and infectious mononucleosis. Some children seem to be more prone
to developing tonsillitis than others. They may have tonsillitis attacks
as often as five or six times a year. Recurring tonsillitis may result
in the enlargement of the tonsils, a condition labelled as chronic tonsillitis.
In such a case, the tonsils remain infected despite antibiotic treatment.
The tonsils can also trap food particles in small infoldings called crypts,
which only results in prolonging the infection.
The symptoms
The treatment The treatment comprises a combination of steps to relieve the symptoms and medication to attack the cause. When it comes to medication, it has been found that antibiotics are only effective in treating tonsillitis if the cause is bacterial. In the case of viral infections, antibiotics may actually aggravate the condition. Hence, the treatment of viral tonsillitis is usually restricted to relieving the symptoms. A throat culture helps to pinpoint whether the cause is bacterial or viral. Home care: In addition to the medication prescribed by your doctor, there are a few simple things you can do at home to help relieve your child's discomfort. Make your child gargle with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon salt dissolved in four ounces of warm water. Give him plenty of warm drinks like soup or tea with honey. (Honey should be avoided for children below the age of one year). His diet should consist of foods that are soft, easy to swallow and which are cold like juices, ice cream, etc. Avoid spicy food. If your child is over five years old, you can give him a lozenge to suck. Ensure that you or any other person does not smoke in his room. If the infection is very severe,
your child may need to be hospitalized as his inability to swallow may
lead to dehydration.
A tonsillectomy In the past, it was very common for doctors to remove a child's tonsils if he was prone to attacks of tonsillitis. Tonsillectomy is the name given to the surgical procedure for the removal of the tonsils. A tonsillectomy should be the last resort in cases of chronic tonsillitis and parents will have to leave it to the discretion of the doctor. However, in some cases, a tonsillectomy becomes a necessity. Sometimes, the tonsils become so enlarged that they can cause difficulty in breathing and obstructive sleep apnea. In such cases, tonsillectomy is the only option. A tonsillectomy is performed under
general anaesthesia in a hospital and is often an out-patient procedure.
The tonsil is surrounded by a capsule of tissue. During the operation,
the surgeon removes the tonsil by dissecting between this capsule and the
adjacent throat tissue. The site where the tonsils were taken out heals
on its own. Research has shown that removal of the tonsils does not affect
the body's immune system. After the operation, the patient usually has
a very sore throat, but the doctor will put him on pain-killers and antibiotics
that will help relieve the symptoms.
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