Sore Throat Again? Here’s When to Worry That It’s Tonsillitis

The tonsils are two small glands located at the back of our throat. They are a part of our body’s immune system and help fight germs, but sometimes, they themselves become the target of infection. When our tonsils become infected and inflamed, we have developed tonsillitis.

WORDS DR NUR ADILLAH LAMRY

FEATURED EXPERT DR NUR ADILLAH LAMRY Consultant ENT, Head, and Neck Surgeon Columbia Asia Hospital – Tebrau

CAUSES OF TONSILLITIS

Tonsillitis is usually caused by pathogens such as :

• Viruses such as adenoviruses, Ebstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus
• Bacteria such as Streptococcus

Most often, viruses are the common cause, and tonsillitis caused by viruses tends to resolve on its own; usually no medications needed.

Tonsillitis due to bacterial infections, however, will require antibiotics.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Sore throat
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• Fever
• The tonsils will look red and swollen, sometimes with white patches
• Lymph nodes in the neck also can become swollen
• In young children, they may become irritable and display a poor appetite

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?

• When the sore throat lasts more than a few days.
• There is persistent fever.
• When the tonsils are so swollen that swallowing and breathing are difficult.

HOW A DOCTOR TELLS WHETHER YOU HAVE TONSILLITIS

• A doctor can usually diagnose tonsillitis by examining the throat.
• The tonsils will look inflamed and sometimes they can swell so large that they touch each other — we call them “kissing tonsils”.
• The doctor may put a camera up your nose to see if your adenoids — glands located high in the throat behind the nose — are also enlarged.

HOW TONSILLITIS IS TREATED

• Medications such as paracetamol and other analgesics to manage pain and fever.
• The doctor may also prescribe some numbing agents for the throat, such as gargles or throat sprays.
• If the tonsillitis is due to bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed to eliminate the bacteria.

Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is also essential for recovery.

WHEN IS SURGERY NECESSARY?

Not all cases of tonsillitis require surgery.

Usually, it is needed in cases of:

• Recurrent episodes of tonsillitis
• Severe complication of tonsillitis like peritonsillar abscess
• If the swollen tonsils are causing obstruction, leading to obstructive sleep apnea.

Tonsillectomy: The Surgery to Remove the Tonsils

• Generally, it is a safe and common surgical procedure, especially when performed by an
  experienced ENT surgeon.
• However, like any surgery, it carries some risks of pain, bleeding and infection, though serious complications are rare.