Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection caused in the tonsils, two masses of tissue at the back of your throat.

The tonsils act as barriers, catching germs that could somehow enter the airway routes and cause infections. They additionally make antibodies to battle infections. However, once in a while, they get overpowered by germs, bacteria or viruses, causing infections. This can make them swollen and cause problems.

Tonsillitis is common, particularly in kids. It can happen every so often or return over in a short time.

There are three common types of tonsillitis:

• Acute tonsillitis: The symptoms can last from 3 to 4 days up to 2 weeks.
• Recurrent tonsillitis: This is when tonsil infection recurs many times a year
• Chronic tonsillitis: It is when one has a long term infection in the tonsils.

• Streptococcus bacteria
• Influenza virus
• Epstein- Barr virus
• Enteroviruses
• Parainfluenza viruses
• Adenoviruses
• Herpes simplex virus

The treatment depends on what caused the illness.

• Medication: If the infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. These may be in injections or pills to swallow.
• Home remedies: In case of viral infections, antibiotics do not help. It takes some time to get better. Some home remedies that can help are:
  Taking rest         
  Drinking warm fluids to soothe throat pain
  Eating soft foods
  Using a humidifier
  Gargling with salt water
  Taking pain killers

• Surgery: This option is opted for only if the infection keeps recurring or isn’t healing. It used to be a very common treatment but is now only prefered if tonsillitis keep occurring more than five times a year.