Tonsilitis
Tonsilitis
Tonsils are paired organs at the back of our throat. They form part of the immunity system of children in early childhood helping to protect against infection. However, tonsils can seem comparatively large in the small space of a child’s oropharynx cavity.
The problem with enlarged tonsils is:
- Can cause snoring in children
- Cause obstructive sleep apnoea resulting poor concentration in school and /or hyperactivity or some children have persistent tiredness during the day.
- Halitosis ( bad breath)
- Can cause recurrent infections known as tonsilitis resulting in
- Fever, lethargy and irritability
- Pain on swallowing
- Ear, jaw and neck pain
- Altered voice
- Missed days from school
Tonsilitis can affect children of any age and gender. You may notice that your child is : anyone, regardless of age, race or gender. However, it is most commonly observed in children. It often presents itself as red and swollen nodes, that have white or yellow spots on them. Tonsilitis is characterised by the following symptoms, including:
- Has a painful throat
- Difficulty swallowing food and water
- Swollen tonsils with white or yellow spots on them
- Enlarged and painful neck lymph nodes
- Fever, chills, lethargy, irritability
- Ear, jaw and neck ache
- Have to miss school frequently
TREATMENT
Treatment of acute tonsilitis attack involves:
- Antibiotics
- Pain relief medication
- Fever relief medication
However, if tonsilitis attacks happen frequently, your ENT doctor will recommend a minor surgery to remove both tonsils known as Tonsillectomy. Once removed, tonsils will not recur though you may occasionally get pharyngitis but to a milder degree than tonsilitis. Removal of tonsils will not cause a reduction in a child’s immunity as their body has other forms of immunity as they mature.
