The Ringing Tonsils: 16 Facts About Tonsillitis

What are you, dear tonsils?

1. Lymph nodes located in the pharynx area, inside the mouth cavity. 

2. The primary role of these glands is to prevent and combat the entry of bacteria into our throat. 

3. Every person is equipped with two pink tonsil glands, each measuring 3 cm with an elliptical shape. 

4. Tonsillitis is caused by the underactivity of the glands and an infection following the penetration of a virus.

5. It is common among children aged 5-12.

6. 30% of children have tonsillitis at least once a year.

Is tonsillitis contagious?

7. Yes, indeed. A person with tonsillitis can certainly pass the disease to a healthy person via sneezing or coughing. 

(Illustration Photo: shutterstock)

Symptoms of the inflammation

8. Tonsillitis is characterized by swollen tonsils, redness, high fever, sore throat, and severe difficulty in swallowing and speaking. Sometimes the inflammation is also characterized by vocal cord impairment, unpleasant mouth odor, and runny nose.

When should you worry about a possible complication and seek professional medical help?

9. When the symptoms mentioned in the previous section do not subside within five days. 

10. When the swelling of the tonsils causes breathing difficulties. 

11. When there is a significant difficulty in moving the neck from side to side. 

12. Blood in the urine. 

13. Arthritis appearing after recovery from tonsillitis. 

14. Difficulty swallowing saliva. 

How can it be diagnosed?

15. To diagnose tonsillitis, the doctor will ask you a series of comprehensive questions and then perform a physical examination of the ears, throat, pharynx, and lungs. Sometimes the doctor will request a throat swab test, especially when there is concern about a Streptococcus A bacterial infection.

Treatment

16. Since the disease tends to pass within three to four days for most, the recommendation is to ensure plenty of fluid intake to prevent dehydration and rest as much as possible. If the pain is unbearable, some suggest taking pain relievers in the form of syrups and lozenges to ease sore throat pain. However, if it is severe inflammation caused by a viral infection, antibiotic treatment is common. 

In cases where tonsillitis is recurrent, doctors might recommend a tonsillectomy - a surgical procedure under general anesthesia, with a recovery that lasts approximately five days to a week.