Children with tonsillitis have swollen tonsils that turn red accompanied by fever and inability to swallow food due to sore and painful throat. Affected individuals also complain of headache, stiffness in neck, stomach pain, and muffled voice. Children who develop tonsillitis have swollen lymph nodes in the neck and also develop patches on the tonsils. Young children who are unable to express the symptoms often turn fussy and show disinterest towards food due to difficulty in swallowing it.

• Cervical Lymphadenopathy

  We report the case of an 8-year-old boy presenting with a history of acute tonsillitis and cervical lymphadenopathy in which the diagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome became apparent 4 days after admission. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Fevers and malaise are the predominant symptoms with less cervical lymphadenopathy and splenic enlargement than in EBV. Immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) testing can confirm the diagnosis. [dontforgetthebubbles.com]

• Fever

  Fevers and malaise are the predominant symptoms with less cervical lymphadenopathy and splenic enlargement than in EBV. Immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) testing can confirm the diagnosis. [dontforgetthebubbles.com]

  Treating the symptoms of sore throat and fever will make the patient more comfortable. If fever persists for more than 48 hours, however, or is higher than 102°F, the patient should be seen by a doctor. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

  More serious are two distant complications—acute nephritis (kidney inflammation) and acute rheumatic fever, with or without heart involvement. [britannica.com]

• Fatigue

  A 23-year-old white man with a history of over 20 episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding 2 years was admitted to our hospital because of cervical unilateral lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweating, weight loss, and fatigue. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Some other symptoms to look for include: Swollen tonsils Pain when swallowing Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck Redness in the throat Blisters or pustules on the tonsils Congestion or runny nose Ear pain Fever Fatigue or lethargy Treatment Treatment [boystownhospital.org]

  […] palatine tonsils Difficulty to swallow (constricted fauces) Ulcerations of the mucous membrane Suppurative, fibrinous coating ("stipple") Fetid breath Swelling of lymphatic nodes Scarlatiniform exanthem General symptoms (fever, headaches and abnormal fatigue [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  It causes inflammation of the joints, rash, fever, weight loss, fatigue and stomach pains. [livestrong.com]

  This can lead to daytime fatigue, depression, mood swings, and other, more serious health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease. [coldflu.about.com]

• Severe Pain

  You should also contact your doctor if a sore throat doesn't improve in a few days or causes: difficulty breathing or swallowing a persistent fever severe pain, particularly if it’s mainly on one side of your throat. [healthdirect.gov.au]

  Chronic tonsillitis is much more serious and can last for several months. It is usually caused by a bacterium and starts with a sore throat which worsens over time. This causes severe pain when swallowing, a narrowing of the throat and a head cold. [medic8.com]

  This may include: Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen (as a liquid or pills) for pain; other medicines or treatments may be recommended for severe pain Increasing how much your child drinks; some teas have ingredients that soothe the throat Eating smooth [cooperhealth.org]

  Treatment may include: Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen as a liquid or pills for pain. Other medicines or treatments may be recommended for severe pain. Increasing how much your child drinks. Some teas have ingredients that soothe the throat. [stlouischildrens.org]

• Streptococcal Pharyngitis

  NOS Suppurative pharyngitis (acute) Ulcerative pharyngitis (acute) J02.9 ) streptococcal sore throat ( ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J02.0 Streptococcal pharyngitis 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code Applicable To Septic pharyngitis Streptococcal [icd10data.com]

  Haverkorn MJ, Valkenburg HA, Goslings WR (1971) Streptococcal pharyngitis in the general population. I. A controlled study of streptococcal pharyngitis and its complications in the Netherlands. [doi.org]

  "Prevalence of streptococcal pharyngitis and streptococcal carriage in children: a meta-analysis". Pediatrics. 126 (3): e557–64. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2648. PMID 20696723. ^ Thomas M, Del Mar C, Glasziou P (October 2000). [en.wikipedia.org]

  Penicillin remains the drug of choice for streptococcal pharyngitis; cephalosporins or macrolides are alternatives for patients allergic to penicillin. [merck.com]

• Malaise

  The symptoms are sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever, malaise, and enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of the neck. The infection lasts about five days. [britannica.com]

  Fevers and malaise are the predominant symptoms with less cervical lymphadenopathy and splenic enlargement than in EBV. Immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) testing can confirm the diagnosis. [dontforgetthebubbles.com]

  PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 patients presenting sore throat associated with erythema and/or pharyngeal tonsillar exudate with or without scarlatiniform rash, fever and malaise had been subjected to perform a rapid test (RAD: Rapid antigen detection) for [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Sore Throat

  […] and sore throat days. [doi.org]

  A careful examination of the throat is necessary to rule out diphtheria and other conditions that may cause a sore throat. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

  A GP with a list of 2,000 can expect to see around 120 cases of sore throat a year with considerable seasonal variation - see the separate Sore Throat article [ 1 ]. [patient.info]

  People body problem concept Sore throat healthcare concept. [shutterstock.com]

• Pharyngitis

  J36 ) sore throat NOS ( ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J02.9 Acute pharyngitis, unspecified 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code Applicable To Gangrenous pharyngitis (acute) Infective pharyngitis (acute) NOS Pharyngitis (acute) NOS Sore throat (acute) [icd10data.com]

  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae rarely cause acute pharyngitis. Neisseria gonorrhea may cause pharyngitis in sexually active persons. [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Cough

  Centor Criteria History of fever >38°C Tonsillar exudate Tender anterior cervical adenopathy Absence of cough If 4 of the Centor criteria are met, PPV is 60%. The absence of 3 or 4 of the Centor criteria has a fairly high NPV of 80%. [dontforgetthebubbles.com]

  If a child doesn’t have swollen glands, and is only experiencing a sore throat, low grade temperature, cough, and congestion, it’s more likely the child has a viral infection. [youtube.com]

  To stop these infections from spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better use tissues when you cough or sneeze and throw them away after wash your hands after coughing or sneezing How to treat tonsillitis yourself [nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk]

• Loss of Appetite

  The symptoms can be similar for tonsillitis and strep throat: throat pain, redness of the tonsils, loss of appetite, fever, and headache. Tonsillitis tends to be viral. Strep throat is bacterial. "They both are contagious," said Dr. LeBert. [kplctv.com]

  Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis may include: sore throat and neck pain when swallowing fever earache bad breath headache loss of appetite and feeling generally unwell red and swollen tonsils (with pus) swollen and tender glands at [childrens.health.qld.gov.au]

  Symptoms may include: Swollen, red tonsils (often coated with a yellow, gray, or white membrane) Blisters or painful ulcerated areas on the throat Sudden onset sore throat Pain or difficulty with swallowing Snoring Foul breath Headache Loss of appetite [entcolumbia.org]

  The lesser common signs and symptoms include: blisters on the throat, loss of appetite, pain in the ear, jaw tenderness, and vomiting. To diagnose tonsillitis, there are a few tests. They include a physical examination to look at the tonsils. [mdsave.com]

  […] of voice Headache Loss of appetite Ear pain Trouble swallowing Breathing through the mouth Fever Chills Bad breath Types of Tonsillitis: Viral Bacterial Diagnosis & Tests Your child's doctor will perform a physical examination by: Using a lighted instrument [texaschildrens.org]

• Dysphagia

  Learn More About Topic Dysphagia Dysphagia means that you can’t swallow well. Many factors may cause dysphagia, and most are temporary and non-life-threatening. [entnet.org]

  Abstract A 45-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 3-day history of fever, progressive sore throat, dysphagia, and difficulty speaking. She was diagnosed with acute lingual tonsillitis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Acute: temporary tonsillitis that includes sore throat, fever, dysphagia, and other symptoms Recurrent: several episodes of acute tonsillitis within a year Chronic: ongoing sore throat halitosis, and tender cervical nodes Peritonsillar abscess: sever [entshadygrove.com]

  Symptoms The symptoms of tonsillitis include: Painful and sore throat Dysphagia or pain and discomfort while swallowing Fever over 38°C (100.4°F) Cough Weakness Headache and jaw pain In most cases, tonsillitis resolves within three to four days. [news-medical.net]

• Odynophagia

  We report a case of an otherwise healthy man who presented with dysphagia, odynophagia and neck pain following a sore throat. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Symptoms of tonsillitis/pharygnitis include: sore throat; fever; odynophagia; hoarse voice; vomiting; cough; diarrhoea; arthralgia; tonsillopharyngeal erythema; tonsillopharygneal exudate; soft palate petechiae; cervical lymphadenitis; rash; conjunctivitis [dontforgetthebubbles.com]

  Acute tonsillitis: Patients have a fever, sore throat, foul breath, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing), and tender cervical lymph nodes. [bmc.org]

  • Acute tonsillitis: Patients have a fever, sore throat, foul breath, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing), and tender cervical lymph nodes. [entnet.org]

• Failure to Thrive

  […] to thrive, and sometimes even heart problems. [health24.com]

• Jaundice

  It may affect the liver and spleen, and may lead to jaundice. Symptoms Acute tonsillitis The typical symptoms of acute tonsillitis are a very sore throat with bright red, swollen tonsils. The onset of pain may be rapid or gradual. [health24.com]

• Difficulty Opening the Mouth

  opening the mouth, and muffled voice Once the cause and type of tonsillitis is determined, your doctor will determine the appropriate course of treatment. [entshadygrove.com]

  Peritonsillar abscess: Individuals often have severe throat pain, fever, drooling, foul breath, trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), and muffled voice quality, such as the “hot potato” voice (as if talking with a hot potato in his or her mouth). [bmc.org]

  • Peritonsillar abscess: Individuals often have severe throat pain, fever, drooling, foul breath, trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), and muffled voice quality, such as the “hot potato” voice (as if talking with a hot potato in his or her mouth) [entnet.org]

  See a GP urgently or go to A&E if you have: a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse swelling inside the mouth and throat difficulty speaking difficulty swallowing difficulty breathing difficulty opening your mouth These are signs of quinsy. ^^ Back [nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk]

  See a GP urgently or go to A&E if you have: a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse swelling inside the mouth and throat difficulty speaking difficulty swallowing difficulty breathing difficulty opening your mouth These are signs of quinsy. [nhs.uk]

• Halitosis

  […] sore throat, fever, drooling, halitosis, difficulty opening the mouth, and muffled voice Once the cause and type of tonsillitis is determined, your doctor will determine the appropriate course of treatment. [entshadygrove.com]

  […] spots developing on the tonsils Headaches and pain felt in the temple and forehead region Fevers and high temperatures (chills may also be experienced) Associated shooting or stabbing ear pain A furry white to yellow coating developing on the tongue Halitosis [sinuswars.com]

  Halitosis is a common symptom to know about the disease because bad breathing is usually common among such patients. [healthguidehq.com]

  Chronic tonsillitis: Individuals often have chronic sore throat, halitosis, tonsillitis, and persistently tender cervical nodes. [bmc.org]

• Malocclusion

  Some orthodontists believe that chronic mouth breathing from large tonsils and adenoids causes improper alignment of the teeth (malocclusion). [web.archive.org]

  This may sometimes cause the teeth to become badly aligned (malocclusion). [health24.com]

  […] symptoms include: Frequent awakening from sleep Restless sleep Nightmares Bedwetting Mood changes Excessive sleepiness Heart problems Some orthodontists believe chronic mouth breathing from large tonsils and adenoids causes improper alignment of the teeth (malocclusion [medicinenet.com]

• Skin Rash

  Scarlet fever: causes an itchy skin rash. Treatment of tonsillitis If a throat swab shows that tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. [mydr.com.au]

  Rheumatic fever – may cause fever, joint pains and swelling, skin rash and nodules, heart disease and abnormal limb movements. Rheumatic fever may later cause serious, permanent heart damage (rheumatic heart disease). [healthengine.com.au]

  rashes that can accompany infections Assessing whether the spleen is enlarged Your doctor may also perform: A throat swab, to look for any streptococcal bacteria A complete blood cell count, or CBC Tonsillitis treatment Most cases of tonsillitis can [bonsecours.com]

  Other symptoms may include: Fever Headache Joint pain and muscle aches Skin rashes Swollen lymph nodes in the neck Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look at your throat. [metropolitanent.com]

• Otalgia

  Abstract Lingual tonsillitis can cause various signs and symptoms including nocturnal or supine cough, constant discomfort in the throat, glossal pain, and otalgia. Most patients with lingual tonsillitis have already had palatine tonsillectomy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Assessment and recognition Odynophagia Dysphagia Anorexia Pyrexia Malaise Swollen tonsils with or without exudate 'Thick' or 'hot potato' voice (not hoarse voice) Lymphadenopathy (especially Level II/III ) Referred otalgia (the glossopharyngeal nerve [entsho.com]

  Symptoms of Tonsillitis Include 1 Throbbing headache with otalgia brought about by the infected tonsils and swollen lymph nodes. 2 The foul odor can be largely attributed to the pus formation or the cheese-like coating that envelope the affected tonsils [visihow.com]

  Ramsay Sedation Scale [220] ) for analgesic use, food intake, otalgia, kindergarten or school downtime are using popular surrogate parameters. An interesting postoperative pain benchmarking project was constructed by W. [egms.de]

• Suggestibility

  However, some findings suggest involvement of the Weber's glands in peritonsillar abscess pathogenesis. First, high amylase levels have been found in peritonsillar pus. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  25, 2008 tonsils suggested by priti on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 betadine gargle suggested by lal on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Tonsillitis Treatments. [home-remedies-for-you.com]

• Fear

  Demi Lovato Many performers suffer frequent bouts of tonsillitis but try other methods of dealing with it out fear that it might affect their vocal abilities post-surgery ( Leona Lewis is an example that comes to mind). [musictimes.com]

  Despite cutting away the dead tissue, doctors feared the infection could still reach her heart - which would be fatal. They warned her family, who had travelled from her native Johannesburg, South Africa, to prepare for the worst. [thesun.co.uk]

  While the mere mention of tonsillitis can trigger fear that a trip to the hospital is coming to remove those tonsils, the infection can actually mean many things. [today.com]

  This will help alleviate any fears they have and give you reassurance that they will be able to help if needed. Accepting the use of your GTN spray or tablets can take away fear of pain coming on. [nhsinform.scot]

  By JEN GUNTER Photo Credit iStock Doctors Treating a Patient With a Nightmarish Condition She had lost all of her skin and I feared I had helped make her last weeks an unrelenting horror show, until our chance reunion. By ALESSANDRA COLAIANNI, M.D. [nytimes.com]

• Neck Swelling

  […] or neck swelling Key Points Pharyngitis is inflammation of the throat. [stlouischildrens.org]

  If your child’s sore throat is severe and includes difficulty swallowing or breathing, drooling, stiff neck or neck swelling, call 911 or your local emergency number. [childrensnational.org]

  If your child’s sore throat is severe and includes difficulty swallowing or breathing, drooling, stiff neck, or neck swelling, call 911 or your local emergency number. [stanfordchildrens.org]

• Kidney Failure

  TONSILLITIS SIDE EFFECTS Tonsillitis can lead to other health complications including but not necessarily limited to blocked airway from swelling, Rheumatic fever, cardiac disorders, abscess in the throat, kidney failure, dehydration, and post streptococcal [medicalook.com]

  Complications following streptococcal infections such as rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis (a form of kidney failure) are now rarely seen in urban areas of Australia. [abc.net.au]

  In acute cases of tonsillitis, the following symptoms may be experienced: Airways get blocked due to excessive swelling of the tonsils Dehydration and even drinking is difficult due to the swelling Throat abscesses Bacterial pharyngitis Kidney failure [home-remedies-for-you.com]

  If not treated, the following can occur: peritonsillar abscess, airway occlusion, rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders, kidney failure, or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. interventions Treatment is directed at the symptoms. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

  Kidney failure can also occur due to dehydration as the swallowing of food and water becomes difficult. Pharyngitis can also occur due to the increased inflammation of the tonsils. [healthguidehq.com]

• Headache

  Some lack of fluid in the body can make headaches and tiredness much worse. Paracetamol or ibuprofen eases pain, headache and fever. [patient.info]

  Symptoms of tonsillitis People with tonsillitis often feel unwell and they may have: a sore throat red, swollen and painful tonsils, sometimes with white patches or pus fever difficulty or pain on swallowing headache swollen lymph nodes in the neck bad [healthdirect.gov.au]

• Chorea

  One had maculopapular erythema and 2 had abdominal pain of unknown origin, but none had cardiac involvement, chorea and subcutaneous nodule. HLA examination revealed that 4 had B39 (p [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Lancefield's GABS can cause rheumatic fever, Sydenham's chorea, glomerulonephritis and scarlet fever. Streptococcal infection may cause a flare-up of guttate psoriasis. [patient.info]

  […] of tonsillitis.[33] Prognosis[edit] Since the advent of penicillin in the 1940s, a major preoccupation in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis has been the prevention of rheumatic fever, and its major effects on the nervous system (Sydenham's chorea [en.wikipedia.org]

The following diagnostic procedures are conducted to determine tonsillitis.

• Physical examination: A preliminary physical examination is done to assess the degree of distress that has made swallowing difficult in affected children. The examination is done with the help of lighted instruments to carefully look for signs of infection. In many cases, the nose and ears are also checked. In addition, the child’s cheeks are palpated to check for signs of swollen lymph nodes.
• Throat swab: This is utmost necessary to assess the nature of infection present and the causative agent. In this test, throat secretions are collected and sent to laboratory for further testing [6].
• Blood test: Blood test to assess complete blood count will help in determining the cause of tonsillitis [7].

• Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

  Typical viruses are: Beta-hemolysing streptococci Also of importance are: Pneumococci Staphylococci Haemophilus influenzae Branhamella catarrhalis Neisseria gonorrhoeae (!) Many of these germs belong to the resident oral flora. [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  Causes of throat infections include: Viruses Adenovirus Influenza virus Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) Herpes simplex virus HIV Bacteria Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) Neisseria gonorrhoeae Haemophilus influenzae type b Mycoplasma Chlamydia [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Causes of throat infections include: Viruses Adenovirus Influenza virus Rhinovirus Coxsackie virus Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) Herpes simplex virus Bacteria Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) Neisseria gonorrhoeae Haemophilus influenzae [entcolumbia.org]

  Other, less-common bacteria that cause sore throats include corynebacterium, arcanobacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members. [metropolitanent.com]

• Treponema Pallidum

  [8] Oral thrush (fungal tonsillitis) Candida albicans Pseudomembranous stomatitis with white plaques Pharyngeal syphilis Treponema pallidum Primary syphilis chancre in the posterior pharynx Early stages are often asymptomatic; sore throat may occur. [ [amboss.com]

  pallidum, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.[10][11][12][13] Anaerobic bacteria have been implicated in tonsillitis and a possible role in the acute inflammatory process is supported by several clinical and scientific observations.[18] Under normal circumstances [en.wikipedia.org]

Treatment of tonsillitis largely depends on the cause of the disease. The following methods are employed for treating the condition:

Viral infection: The child should get better within a week to 10 days. The affected child should be allowed to take as much rest as possible and should also be asked to rest his voice. In addition, he should be given foods that are easy to swallow and which would not trouble the throat much. Warm foods would provide relief to the sore throat. Gargling with salt water also can help treat the condition faster and promote quick recovery. Other symptoms of pain and fever can be treated with mediations.

Bacterial infection: In case, the cause of tonsillitis is bacterial infections then antibiotics form the basis of treatment regime. Penicillin is given which needs to be taken for 10 days. Complete course of antibiotic regime should be strictly followed to ensure complete recovery from the infection [8].

Surgery is the method of choice when all the above mentioned treatment regimes fail to bring about desired results. Surgical procedure to remove the tonsils is known as tonsillectomy. It is used in conditions when children get recurrent bouts of tonsillitis or the condition results in debilitating complications which cannot be managed with medications alone [9] [10].

The prognosis of tonsillitis is usually favorable owing to improvements in its treatment regime. With more advancements treatment methods being introduced, the development of complications has decreased to a great extent [5]. Complications of tonsillitis including rheumatic fever, scarlet fever and death have decreased significantly due to use of more advanced methods for treating tonsillitis.

Viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. However, in some cases bacterial infections too can cause symptoms of sore throat in children and adults. Children are more susceptible to contract tonsillitis compared to adults owing to low immunity. The viruses that are known to play a role in causation of this condition include adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza, rhinovirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus and HIV. As already stated, tonsillitis can also be caused by bacteria and the causative agent includes Group A B-hemolytic streptococcus [2].

Tonsillitis is a common occurrence in children older than 2 years. Tonsillitis due to bacterial infections strike children between the age group of 5 – 15 years. Sore throat, a common condition of tonsillitis affects 100 in 1000 individuals. The condition is considered to be the 8th most common disease in UK [3].

The tonsils produce white blood cells for protecting the body against infections. In the process of safeguarding the body against various foreign agents, the tonsils can themselves get infected. Viruses and bacteria that enter the body through the mouth are not allowed entry into the system by the tonsils. However, in certain conditions, the tonsils get infected by the bacteria or viruses giving rise to the condition known as tonsillitis. Children fall easy prey to viral or bacterial infections when they come in contact with other children who are already suffering from tonsillitis [4].

Infections from viruses or bacteria are the major cause of tonsillitis. Therefore, the best way of preventing this disease is to practice good hygiene and maintain a safe distance from individuals suffering from this disease. Tonsillitis is contagious and children should be taught to wash hands often, especially after coming in contact with individuals who have the disease. Covering mouth while coughing and sneezing is also another way of preventing the spread of the disease.

Tonsils are the 2 lymph nodes which are situated on either side towards back of the throat. These safeguard the body from various infections. Tonsillitis can occur at any age; but commonly strikes the children. The condition can be appropriately treated if the exact cause is identified. Surgical removal of tonsils is carried out when the conditions occurs repeatedly and other treatment regimes fail to yield positive outcome [1].

Definition

Tonsillitis is defined as inflammation of the tonsils due to either bacterial or viral infections. The tonsils usually provide protection to the body against various infections. In the process of warding of infectious agents, the tonsils gets infected and inflamed.

Cause

Viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis followed by bacteria. Certain types of viruses such as adenovirus, influenza, rhinovirus, cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus are known to play foul in causation of tonsillitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tonsillitis include inflammation of the tonsils, high fever, headache, and stomach ache, development of white patches on the tonsils, bad breath, and difficulty in swallowing food and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of tonsillitis begins with a physical examination to check for signs of infection and development of rashes. Following this, throat swab is conducted to detect the causative organism and blood test to assess complete blood count is done.

Treatment

Treatment of tonsillitis is cause dependant. If bacteria are the source of infection then antibiotic penicillin is administered. If viruses are the cause then medicines for treating fever and other symptoms are given. Surgery is usually the last resort to treat tonsillitis if the condition occurs frequently and medications do not help.

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3. Kvestad E, Kvaerner KJ, Roysamb E, Tambs K, Harris JR, Magnus P. Heritability of recurrent tonsillitis.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. May 2005;131(5):383-7.
4. Brook I, Gober AE. Interference by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in children with recurrent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. May 1999;125(5):552-4.
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10. Lock C, Wilson J, Steen N, et al. Childhood tonsillectomy: who is referred and what treatment choices are made? Baseline findings from the North of England and Scotland Study of Tonsillectomy and Adenotonsillectomy in Children (NESSTAC). Arch Dis Child 2010; 95:203.