Tonsillitis is a common ailment, particularly among children. This condition can manifest occasionally or recur frequently.

Causes and Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Both bacterial and viral infections can trigger tonsillitis. A frequent bacterial culprit is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Other common causes include:

• Adenoviruses

• Influenza virus

• Parainfluenza viruses

• Enteroviruses

• Herpes simplex virus

The primary symptoms of tonsillitis involve inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, which can sometimes be severe enough to obstruct the airways. Other symptoms include:

• Throat pain or tenderness

• Redness of the tonsils

• A white or yellow coating on the tonsils

• Painful blisters or ulcers on the throat

• Headache

• Loss of appetite

• Ear pain

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth

• Swollen glands in the neck or jaw area

• Fever, chills

• Bad breath

In children, additional symptoms may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Drooling

Diagnosis

To ascertain the cause of tonsillitis, a healthcare provider may conduct a rapid strep test or a throat swab culture.

A laboratory test can identify a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not be detected by these tests, but it may be presumed if the bacterial test yields a negative result. In certain instances, the physical findings alone may be sufficiently indicative to diagnose a probable bacterial infection.

Monospot test: A blood test that can detect specific antibodies, aiding in confirming if a person’s symptoms are attributable to mononucleosis.

Treatment

• Antibiotics: Such as penicillins (e.g., amoxicillin, ampicillin) and cephalosporins (e.g., ceftriaxone) may be prescribed.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Like prednisolone, can also be administered.

• Painkillers: For managing severe pain.

• Abscess drainage: A peritonsillar abscess typically requires puncture with a needle to allow the infection to drain and facilitate healing.

• Tonsillectomy: In cases where tonsils are excessively large or recurrently infected, surgical removal may be deemed necessary.

Complications

Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils resulting from frequent or persistent (chronic) tonsillitis can lead to complications such as:

• Difficulty breathing

• Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)

• Infection that spreads deeply into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)

• Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)

Prevention

The pathogens responsible for viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Therefore, the most effective prevention strategy is to practice good hygiene. Teach children to:

• Wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

• Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles, or utensils.

• Replace their toothbrush after being diagnosed with tonsillitis.

To help prevent the spread of a bacterial or viral infection to others, consider the following:

• Keep the child at home when they are ill.

• Consult a doctor to determine when it is appropriate for the child to return to school.

• Teach the child to cough or sneeze into a tissue or, if a tissue is unavailable, into their elbow.

• Instruct the child to wash their hands after sneezing or coughing.

THYRODITIS
Thyroiditis is an inflammation (not an infection) of the thyroid gland.

Hashimoto’s disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, Inflammation from Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Treatment of Hashimoto’s disease with thyroid hormone replacement usually is
simple and effective.
Signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment refer to hypothyroidism.