Everyone knows what a sore throat is. During the development of the pathology, the patient has unpleasant symptoms, some of which interfere with the usual way of life. Often, doctors call throat diseases tonsillitis. It can occur in acute and chronic form. It is about the last form of the disease that will be discussed later. From the article you will find out what the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in adults may be. Also find out something about how to treat it.
Acute form
Before telling what are the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis (in adults or children), it is worth paying little attention to the acute form of the disease. It is with her that the development of the described pathology often begins.
Acute tonsillitis, in fact, is a sore throat. The main symptoms of the disease are sore throat, fever, general malaise, swollen lymph nodes, and so on. The cause of this pathology is a bacterial infection. It is caused by staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci. These bacteria affect the tonsils from the outside. They can enter the human body through direct contact with an infected or domestic route. The lack of timely and proper treatment for acute tonsillitis translates the disease into a chronic form.
What is chronic tonsillitis?
If during the acute form of the disease the infection affects the larynx from the outside, then chronic tonsillitis develops directly from the tonsils. The bacteria that were described above populate the entire lymphoid tissue. And with the slightest decrease in immunity - they are activated.
An exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis can be manifested by the signs that characterize ordinary tonsillitis. Let's try to figure out what are the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis. In adults, they are defined much more clearly than in children.
Patient Feelings: Complaints
- In the chronic form of the disease in remission, a person almost never feels an increase in temperature. However, if you use a thermometer, you can see values up to 37.5 degrees on it.
- Almost all people with chronic tonsillitis have bad breath. All due to the fact that there are bacteria in the tonsils.
- General malaise. Patients may complain of fatigue, irritability, and a dry throat. They constantly want to moisten the larynx with water.
What does the doctor see?
If you come to an appointment with a specialist, he will listen and write down all the complaints that are available on the card. After this, an otorhinolaryngologist will definitely do an examination. During the procedure, other symptoms of chronic tonsillitis can be determined.
In adults, the disease is characterized by swelling and friability of the tonsils. Despite the stage of remission, the glands have many recesses in which there is a white cluster of curdled consistency. When these holes are scrubbed, the surface of the mucous membrane remains red and inflamed.
If an adult has chronic tonsillitis, an increase in lymph nodes is an optional indicator. However, in most patients, small bumps are identified on the neck and back of the head. Enlarged pharyngeal tonsils can also be felt through the skin under the jaw.
Symptoms of exacerbation of tonsillitis
Chronic tonsillitis in adults can worsen with a certain frequency. More often this happens in the cold season, when the patient lacks vitamins and a decrease in immunity occurs.
- During an exacerbation, body temperature rises. Its level reaches 39 degrees.
- The patient has severe swelling of the tonsils with the release of a viscous purulent secretion.
- Sore throat when swallowing, dryness, perspiration, cough.
- Often, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis affects the nasopharyngeal tonsils - adenoids. More advanced rhinitis occurs.
- Lymph nodes, which could be enlarged earlier, at this moment become larger and more painful.
- The general intoxication of the body against the background of the spread of infection is determined.
Why does the disease develop?
You already know that there are two main forms of tonsillitis. Chronic sore throat appears due to improper treatment of an acute disease. Often the cause for the occurrence of pathology is the uncontrolled use of antibiotics, antipyretic drugs. As you know, during an increase in temperature, the body fights against infection, and antibodies are released. Most microorganisms die when the level of your thermometer reaches 38 degrees.
The cause of chronic tonsillitis can be diseases that occur in neighboring areas - tooth decay, adenoiditis, sinusitis and so on. Exacerbation of the disease develops due to low immunity, bad habits, malnutrition and lack of prevention of the disease.
Surgery: a controversial issue
Depending on the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis, the treatment should be appropriate. If the bacteria in the tonsils are toxic to the body and greatly reduce the patient's quality of life, then surgical treatment is often offered.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. After its implementation, the source of the disease - the affected tonsils disappears. However, doctors are twofold in manipulation. After all, lymphoid tissue is also a defender of the body. After its removal, the infection will flow freely into the respiratory tract.
Antibiotics: is there a need?
Treatment of the disease often involves the use of antimicrobials. Doctors may recommend drugs such as Amoxicillin, Flemoxin, Amoxiclav, Sumamed, Azithromycin, Biseptol, Suprax, Ceftriaxone and many others. To choose the right tool for you, you need to conduct research.
The lab technician takes a swab from the throat area. After that, the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain drugs is studied. Only effective remedies are prescribed. Indeed, to many of these compounds, bacteria can have resistance.
Treatment of the throat with antiseptics and antimicrobials
May have tonsillitis complications. These are renal pathologies or disorders of the cardiac system. Therefore, it is important to follow all the points described by the doctor. Often, doctors with angina prescribe treatment of the pharynx. However, patients are negligent in this, believing that antibiotics will be quite enough.
For the treatment of affected tonsils, drugs such as Lugol, Chlorophyllipt, Miramistin and so on are prescribed. At the same time, lozenges for resorption with an antibacterial effect, for example, Grammidin, can be prescribed.
Additional funds to help cure a sore throat
It has chronic tonsillitis effects in the form of a decrease in immunity. Therefore, immunomodulatory formulations are prescribed for therapy. These may be such drugs as Anaferon, Isoprinosine, Likopid, and so on. They are taken only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Also, to restore a person needs vitamin complexes. They can be independently purchased at each pharmacy chain.
If a plaque is found on the tonsils, it is removed. There is a manipulation in a hospital. The doctor squeezes a purulent secret from the recesses with a special tool. After this, the glands are carefully treated with an antiseptic.
For the treatment of chronic tonsillitis in the acute stage, traditional medicine is also used. This is a rinse with a decoction of chamomile and sage, a hot drink, tea with honey and lemon, the use of garlic and onions. The purpose of such events is to cleanse the tonsils and increase immunity. However, folk remedies are not always able to cope with the disease. In most situations, competent conservative therapy is necessary, in the absence of which complications and additional ailments develop.
Short conclusion: results
You already know what chronic tonsillitis is. Symptoms and treatment of the disease are presented in the article. This pathology is very unpleasant and dangerous. Therefore, with the first symptoms of the disease, you should not self-medicate. See your doctor as soon as possible and get expert help. Always remember that the process can be complicated by diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia. All the best to you, be healthy!