Acute tonsillitis is inflammation or swelling of the tonsils, often caused by viral infections. Symptoms include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and bad breath. Diagnosis is done through a throat swab or blood test, and antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections. Surgery may be necessary for severe or chronic cases.
Acute tonsillitis is a sudden case of inflammation or swelling of the tonsils. These organs are found in the back of the throat. Each person generally has two of these oval-shaped structures. Often, a doctor can spot inflamed or enlarged tonsils upon visual inspection of the throat. Although anyone can get tonsillitis, it usually affects young children.
A person can develop acute tonsillitis when viruses and bacteria enter the body. Most commonly, it’s a viral infection like a cold or the flu that leads to illness. Typically, the tonsils are equipped to help the body fight off germs and bacteria, however it is possible that they become overwhelmed by bacterial growth. When this happens, a tonsil infection can result. It is possible for the infection to spread to other organs in the throat such as the pharynx which can cause a further infection known as pharyngitis.
Most people with acute tonsillitis will have a sore throat. There may also be a significant amount of pain in the throat and neck. As a complication of swollen tonsils and throat pain, swallowing can become quite difficult. Some people can become very hoarse or even lose their voice. Another symptom of this condition could be bad breath.
Due to inflammation in the throat, an individual with tonsillitis may lose their appetite. This may be due to lack of hunger or pain associated with trying to swallow. Other symptoms of tonsillitis can include a stiff neck, fever, fatigue and headache. Young children and infants may show additional symptoms such as irritability, reluctance to breastfeed, and abdominal pain.
A throat swab can be done to diagnose acute tonsillitis. When this is done, a doctor will collect secretions from the back of the throat using a sterile elongated swab. This is generally considered a painless procedure, although some retching may be induced by inserting the swab down the throat. A blood test may also be done to diagnose tonsillitis. Blood tests may be done to detect whether the infection is bacterial or viral in origin.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed to people with acute tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection. Commonly, a bacterium known as streptococcus pyogenes can cause this condition, and it also commonly causes strep throat. When the cause is a viral infection, antibiotics may not be prescribed. Instead, doctors may advise the patient to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and take pain relievers to reduce throat pain and fever. If the tonsils are so severely swollen that breathing is impaired or if the condition becomes chronic, the tonsils may need to be removed with surgery.
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