Tonsillitis
Time to read 1 min
Time to read 1 min
WHAT IS IT?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils at the back of the throat. Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a viral infection. Less often, a bacterial infection is a culprit. Signs and symptoms may include:
In very young children, signs of tonsillitis may include drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing, refusal to eat, or unusual fussiness.
TREATMENT
Self-care is generally the first line of treatment and often all that’s needed. To reduce symptoms, include:
Antibiotics. For tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are generally prescribed.
Surgery. In the case of frequently recurring tonsillitis, surgery may be performed to remove the tonsils. Frequent tonsillitis is generally defined as more than seven episodes in one year, more than five episodes a year in each of the preceding two years, or more than three episodes a year in each of the preceding three years.
Excerpt From: The Mayo Clinic. “Mayo Clinic A to Z Health Guide”.