Clinical signs
With bacterial tonsillitis symptoms can be quite severe. The patient is concerned about sore throat, combined with such symptoms as:
• general malaise;
• fever;
• cervical lymphadenopathy (enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes).
Sometimes pain gives in the ear, so in young children, the disease can be mistaken for otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). There are reddening and edema of the oropharynx (between the soft palate and the epiglottis), possibly the appearance of exudate (detachable) on the surface of the tonsils. It is necessary to distinguish bacterial angina from viral pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx). Bacterial infection is accompanied by reddening of the tonsils and throat (communication of the oral cavity with the pharynx), the accumulation of purulent discharge on the surface of the tonsils and fetid breathing.
Lymphadenopathy
On the side of the lesion, there is always an increase in the cervical lymph nodes, which become palpable and painful. Lymphadenopathy and inflammation of the tonsils also occur in infectious mononucleosis. In rare cases, sharply enlarged tonsils can cause blockade of the airways, which is more common with infectious mononucleosis. Sometimes it is quite difficult to distinguish between an infection of a viral and bacterial origin, and a smear from a pharynx can be misleading. Diagnosis of tonsillitis is based on the clinical picture, mainly on such signs as edema of the cervical lymph nodes and inflammation of the tonsils. If there is a suspicion of infectious mononucleosis, the patient's blood is sent to a so-called single-spot test to confirm the diagnosis. Bacterial tonsillitis requires treatment with antibiotics, preferably penicillin or, for allergies to it, erythromycin. Amoxicillin is not recommended for use, since in the case of infectious mononucleosis it can cause a rash.
Surgery
Tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy) is currently performed quite rarely, but with frequent recurrent tonsillitis surgery can not be avoided. Other indications for surgery include apnea syndrome (respiratory arrest) in sleep and abscess of tonsils. In adults, to relieve the pain in the throat will help rinse with a solution of soda. To reduce the temperature, acetaminophen is used. Tonsillitis affects mainly children and young people, spreads by airborne droplets. The onset of the disease usually resembles a viral infection, followed by the attachment of a bacterial component - usually a beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which can persist in the tissues of the tonsils for a long time.
Quinsy
Paratonsillar abscess (congestion of pus) is usually one-sided and is caused by streptococcal infection. Before a serious cause of the formation of filmy raids on tonsils with possible violation of breathing was diphtheria. However, universal immunization significantly reduced the incidence of this disease. Usually tonsillitis is allowed for five days. The condition practically always passes independently, however frequent relapses can essentially worsen quality of a life of the patient. One-sided enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes can cause suspicion of a neoplasm and must necessarily be removed. Tonsillitis is common in childhood with hypertrophy of the tonsils and repeated infections. Careful hygiene of the mouth and teeth can reduce the incidence. Ill children should not attend school, because the infection spreads easily in the children's team.