At the entrance to the pharynx, on the sides, there are two accumulations of lymphoid tissue, palatine tonsils or tonsils, which are the first "station" in the body's immune system that localizes the foreign pathogens that enter it when inhaling, they function as a protective barrier for harmful bacteria. But sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected with bacteria or viruses and become inflamed. A condition known as tonsillitis (or tonsillitis) can occur at any age, but is more common among children. The disease is contagious and can be transmitted by airborne droplets.
A common cause of bacterial infection is streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria.
Viral infections include adenovirus, rhinovirus, influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus, parainfluenza, enterovirus.
Tonsil inflammation and swelling, sometimes in a fairly severe form, blocking the airways is the main symptom. Other symptoms are redness of the tonsils, white or yellow purulent plaque on them, pain when swallowing, headache, lack of appetite, ear pain, difficulty breathing through the mouth, fever, bad breath, swollen neck glands.
How is tonsillitis treated? Antibiotics are prescribed if tonsillitis is caused by streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria. It is very important to take them correctly, as prescribed by your doctor, in order to kill all the bacteria. Angina caused by beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus is dangerous and can lead to serious complication. The disease manifests itself in inflammation of the palatine tonsils and pharynx, usually in combination with fever, but without coughing.
Until recently, all types of tonsillitis were treated with antibiotics. Then, experts decided to prescribe antibiotic treatment in the case when tonsillitis is caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus and staphylococcus. But the disease is difficult to differentiate without bacteriological research. A smear test performed by a doctor will help determine which sore throat. Antibiotics are prescribed in case of a positive result of the analysis for bacterial cultures, for a period of 3-10 days. They relieve symptoms, reduce the duration of the disease. As a symptomatic treatment, analgesics, local anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. 24 hours after the start of treatment, a person is already considered non-contagious.
A typical strep throat begins with pain in the neck and throat when swallowing. Tonsils are inflamed, they are reddened and swollen. Cervical lymph nodes are enlarged. Possible concomitant symptoms include headache , muscle pain, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, scarlet, small-pointed rash. However, especially in children, an atypical course of the disease is also possible.
In children aged 5 to 15 years, tonsillitis is most common in winter and spring. Outbreaks of infection occur in families or schools where people communicate most closely. Streptococcal angina in children under three years of age is usually a rarity. Adults are more likely to suffer from viral tonsillitis, but they can become infected by their children.
A rare but very dangerous complication is acute rheumatic fever (rheumatism), which occurs 2-4 weeks after the disease. Symptoms - high fever, vagus arthritis, carditis, myocarditis, endocarditis. It is a question of cross-immunological reactivity between bacterial and human antigens.
Other complications - glomerulonephritis, sinusitis, mastoiditis, otitis media, bacteremia, meningitis and pneumonia - are rare in cases when it comes to an infection such as streptococcal tonsillitis. Antibiotics are called, among other things, to prevent the development of all possible complications.
The preparations "Penicillin", "Phenoxymethylpenicillin" or "Amoxicillin" with angina, for ten days, are considered the main means. Today, experts are discussing the question of whether to prescribe cephalosporins for allergies to penicillin, when the diagnosis of "bacterial tonsillitis" is made. Group antibiotics cephalosporins have a number of serious side effects, as noted in modern medical literature, and therefore the idea remains controversial. With intolerance to penicillins, marcolides and lincosamides are usually prescribed.
Staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus) specialize in human hemoglobin. Bacteria constantly need iron to spread, which they extract from the hemoglobin contained in the blood pigment. It is difficult to get to the hemoglobin contained in red blood cells (erythrocytes) - iron is relatively well protected from such bacterial attacks in them. However, Staphylococcus aureus binds to specific proteins in the cell membrane, while its receptors adapt to the structure of the human hemoglobin molecule. If staphylococcus managed to pass through the blood circulation, the pathogen attacks red blood cells, pierces the outer membrane and connects to the hemoglobin molecule. The iron-containing nucleus of the cell is then extracted and decomposed to help use iron to expand the bacteria. Studies have shown that Staphylococcus aureus can effectively use human hemoglobin as a source of iron for reproduction.
Blocking hemoglobin receptors with multistable pathogens is a difficult task, classical treatment of staphylococcal angina with antibiotics is not enough. Bacteria, due to the frequent use of these agents, have become resistant to many drugs and do not respond to treatment.
Of course, the more medicine knows about how bacteria behave in the body, the more opportunities there are to develop strategies for prevention and therapy.
When tonsillitis is caused by viruses, then antibiotics will not help, the body itself fights the infection. Nevertheless, there are some tools that help to cope with the disease.
So how is angina treated in such cases? The most reliable remedies have been known to people for many years - these are potions of plant origin. Seven natural helpers for viral tonsillitis are Echinacea, Canadian yellow root, licorice root, elderberry, citrus fruits, garlic capsule oil, and dandelion.