6 things to know about tonsillitis

6 things to know about tonsillitis

 

Imagine your body is like a big castle and your tonsils are like the castle guards. These are small, soft round pieces of tissue found at the back of your throat, one on each side.

When you open your mouth wide and say "ahhh," you might see them on either side of your throat. Tonsils help protect your body by catching and fighting germs (like bacteria and viruses) that come in through your mouth and nose. So, if a germ tries to sneak into your body, the tonsils help stop it and keep you from getting sick.

Sometimes, if the tonsils catch too many germs, they can become swollen and sore. This is called tonsillitis. When this happens, your throat might hurt, and you might have trouble swallowing.

 

How does tonsillitis start?

Tonsillitis starts when the tonsils become infected by germs such as viruses or bacteria.

We all come into contact with germs every day, from simply breathing, eating or touching surfaces and then touching our mouth or nose. These germs can be spread by someone who is already infected and through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Germs can enter your mouth or nose and reach the tonsils. The tonsils, which act as the first line of defence in your immune system, try to catch and fight off these germs. If the germs overwhelm the tonsils' defences, they begin to multiply, causing an infection. This leads to the tonsils becoming inflamed and swollen.

 

6 things to know about tonsillitis

  1. Tonsillitis is an infection and inflammation of the tonsils, which are the two small lumps of tissue at the back of your throat.
  2. Common symptoms include a sore throat, red and swollen tonsils, difficulty swallowing, fever and sometimes, white or yellow spots on the tonsils.
  3. It can be caused by viruses (like the ones that trigger colds) or bacteria (like Streptococcus, which is a culprit in Strep throat). As the infection progresses, you start to feel the symptoms of tonsillitis, such as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
  4. Your body responds to the infection by sending more immune cells to the tonsils to fight off the invaders. This immune response causes the typical symptoms of tonsillitis, like a sore throat and swollen tonsils.
  5. Tonsillitis is contagious. This means that it can spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or close contact.
  6. Treatment depends on the cause. Viral tonsillitis usually gets better on its own, while bacterial tonsillitis may call for antibiotics. Pain relievers and plenty of rest can help with symptoms.  Tonsillectomies are usually only recommended for people who have severe, recurrent tonsillitis or complications. Most cases can be treated with medication and home care.

 

Good to know

  • It’s not just children who get tonsillitis. It’s more common in kids but adults can get it too. Anyone can develop tonsillitis if exposed to the right germs.
  • Also, while a fever is a common symptom, tonsillitis can sometimes come on without a fever, especially in mild cases.
  • Good hygiene, like washing your hands regularly and avoiding close contact with infected people, can help prevent the spread of tonsillitis.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.