In time to identify the symptoms of tonsillitis (viral, bacterial), you need to have an idea of what this disease is. The term is used to denote an infectious pathology that negatively affects the state of the lymphatic system. In a predominant percentage of cases, tonsils are the first to suffer.
The disease can provoke pathological bacteria, viruses. The inflammatory process is acute or chronic. You need to treat any of the forms: each in its own way is dangerous, can lead to negative consequences. The choice of treatment is best provided to the doctor. This will minimize the risk of complications.
general information
Adequate condition and functioning of the tonsils is an important part of human immunity. A prolonged inhibited state of an organ due to pathological microflora leads to negative consequences for the body as a whole. You can avoid this if you start timely treatment. Komarovsky (a fairly well-known modern doctor) has repeatedly said about the symptoms of tonsillitis in children: the first signs of the disease are a reason for the early start of treatment, because negative consequences can affect life indefinitely, especially when it comes to tender age. Inhibition of immunity in children can cause poor health for life.
Can provoke a problem:
- strepto, staphylococci;
- herpetic viruses;
- hemophilic bacillus;
- adenovirus;
- spirochaete.
Other microscopic pathological organisms are less common.
Symptoms of tonsillitis in adults, children, against the background of contact with a sick person are possible: the pathology is transmitted by airborne droplets. Often the infection process is caused by a weakened immune system: the body may have internal inflammatory foci, from where harmful microorganisms spread to the tonsils. More often, the disease worries people living in a dusty room, as well as smokers and forced to endure sudden temperature changes in everyday life. It is highly likely that treatment will be required against the background of hypothermia.
It is known from medical statistics that the symptoms of tonsillitis in children and adults are very common: the disease is widespread and does not distinguish between people. She is subject to all ages, races and nationalities, any gender.
Which happens?
Symptoms of acute tonsillitis in a child, an adult are possible, there is a risk of developing a chronic form.
The chronicle often develops as a complication against the background of other inflammatory processes localized on the throat mucosa. There are cases when chronic tonsillitis appeared immediately after the removal of the previous infectious focus, but it is possible to develop without such prerequisites. Sometimes a disease comes suddenly, on its own.
Acute tonsillitis in most cases is called tonsillitis. Symptoms of acute tonsillitis indicate the need for treatment:
- sudden high fever;
- severe sharp sore throat;
- swelling of the lymph nodes.
The patient suffers from discomfort.
Nuances and features
Tonsillitis in chronic form can occur for a long time hidden, without obvious manifestations. Tonsils are still involved in the immune system, but at any time there is a risk of exacerbation of tonsillitis. Symptoms may appear amid hypothermia, soon after which comes the fever and other troubles inherent in the acute stage. Often, the starting impulse for exacerbation is an insignificant fact that people do not even pay attention to.
Acute tonsillitis is usually divided into forms:
- catarrhal;
- ulcerative with a film;
- phlegmon;
- lacunar;
- follicular;
- herpetic;
- accompanied by tissue necrosis.
To attribute the case to one of the categories, the doctor will carefully examine the symptoms of tonsillitis in an adult, a child, evaluate how large the lesions are, how far the process has gone. For each of the types choose their approach to treatment. In severe cases, inflammatory processes not only affect the tonsils, but also cover nearby areas. This requires a particularly responsible approach to the choice of a therapeutic course - complex treatment will be required.
Where did the trouble come from?
It is necessary to imagine, so as not to recognize the symptoms of tonsillitis, the causes of this disease. Doctors have identified some of the features characteristic of the chronicle, as well as a list of prerequisites against which an acute inflammatory process develops. In a predominant percentage of cases, problems are caused by:
- prolonged tonsillitis;
- sinusitis, accompanied by purulent departments;
- respiratory viral infections;
- periodontal pathologies;
- respiratory disorders through the nose (tissue changes, polyps);
- neglected caries;
- weak immunity.
The latter is more typical for individuals suffering from foci of inflammation near the tonsils.
If the chronic form begins, but the condition is ignored, there is a high risk of the form becoming acute.
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis, primary acute due to bacterial, viral, fungal invasion, are possible. With the ulcerative form that accompanies the formation of the film, the disease is probably due to infection with spirochetes. Of the fungal species, those belonging to the genus Candida are considered the most dangerous.
The lower the immune status, the higher the likelihood of an inflammatory process. It can be stimulated by the difficulties of nasal breathing, the need for a long time to breathe air contaminated with dust, harmful gases. Symptoms of tonsillitis in adults, children on the background of vitamin deficiency, and previously transferred throat diseases, if any, were accompanied by inflammatory processes, are more often worried.
An acute form is possible as an accompanying underlying disease. It can indicate blood pathology, diphtheria, scarlet fever and other serious health problems.
Chronicle: classic manifestations
Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in a child, adult:
- dry and perspiration in the throat;
- when swallowing food, the feeling of local discomfort intensifies, at other times it is felt, but rather weakly;
- from time to time cough comes in fits;
- the temperature rises to 38 degrees;
- lymph nodes respond with pain;
- it smells bad from the mouth;
- dry cough during attacks;
- activation of sweat glands;
- the sensations are like a lump in the throat that cannot be swallowed.
It is noted that mainly the manifestations of the chronic form are rather weak. Often the disease is triggered, since many do not pay attention to its manifestations. Without adequate treatment for symptoms of tonsillitis, pharyngitis (sore throat), the situation may worsen, complications. Inflammatory foci can be activated, foci of suppuration will occur. As you heal, sections of the tonsils will be scarred. Such changes are irreversible and extremely undesirable, since they lead to the suppression of immunity.
Attention to details
The symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in adults listed above can sometimes worsen, sometimes smooth out. Identifying the disease between relapses is problematic. There are cases when tonsillitis did not go into acute form at all. To avoid periodic recurrence of the disease, you need to start treatment on time.
In addition to the above, the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in adults include more rarely occurring phenomena:
- neuralgia;
- the spread of pain in the neck, ears;
- discomfort near the heart.
Such symptoms are relatively rare, indicating a worsening of the patient's condition. If you suspect a chronic form of tonsillitis that causes such complications, you need to make an appointment with the doctor in a timely manner. This will allow you to choose the appropriate treatment tactics.
The disease is acute
Symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- heat up to 40 degrees;
- rapid increase in temperature;
- chills;
- headache;
- sore throat (even when trying to swallow saliva);
- lymph nodes swell, hurt;
- purulent plugs form near the tonsils;
- feverish.
The patient feels bad, weakness worries, during sleep - snoring. Perhaps apnea. When examining a patient, the doctor reveals signs of general poisoning of the body. They are especially pronounced if the disease develops according to the lacunar, follicular scenario.
Additional symptoms of tonsillitis:
- Muscles and joints hurt.
- Dizzy.
- Purulent discharge appears.
The disease is most severe if accompanied by necrosis. Symptoms of tonsillitis in this form indicate severe poisoning of the body. The patient is in a fever, confused consciousness, the condition does not become easier even after a long time. The patient is sick and vomits. Acts are not dependent on meals, drinking. Tonsils are covered with a coating of gray or green, yellowish tint. With such manifestations of the disease, it is important to seek qualified medical help as soon as possible.
Misfortune never comes alone
Symptoms of tonsillitis are often accompanied by additional health problems. Even a relatively mild form can cause serious negative consequences. Doctors warn of the following complications against the background of the inflammatory process:
- dystrophic changes in myocardial tissue;
- rheumatism;
- renal impairment (more common in adults);
- heart defects;
- heart failure;
- abscesses.
Related problems
Amid the symptoms of tonsillitis, there is a high probability of poisoning by the substances produced by pathological microflora of various internal systems and organs. Often the disease leads to:
- hyperthyroidism and other thyroid disorders;
- violation of the integrity of the ocular mucosa;
- skin diseases;
- kidney failure.
Against the background of tonsillitis, inhibition of functionality is possible, a violation of the integrity of the connective tissue. There is a risk of lupus erythematosus, Wagner's disease or scleroderma. There are cases when tonsillitis led to a violation of the integrity of the arterial vascular walls. Complications are more likely to develop in middle-aged, mature patients.
How to detect?
Suspecting tonsillitis in yourself or your child, you need to come for an examination by an ENT doctor. Visit a qualified doctor at the first symptoms. If the patient cannot determine for himself how manifestations are similar to tonsillitis, you should contact your local GP or pediatrician. The doctor will examine the patient and prescribe a referral to a narrow specialist. Additionally, they will recommend an analysis to clarify the condition. By accurately identifying the form of the disease, its stage, pathological microflora, it will be possible to select a treatment.
First of all, they do a blood test. With tonsillitis, a specific shift in the ratios of different cells in the fluid occurs. They study the number of leukocytes - in case of illness, the indicators will be higher than normal.
At the appointment, the doctor will evaluate the patient’s oropharynx. Visually, you can see the swelling of tissues, plaque, gaps in which pus is produced. The doctor will take a sample of diseased tissue to determine the pathogen. The analysis is carried out in the laboratory using a high-precision technique. They make tests for antigens and culture (an example can be seen in the photo). Symptoms of tonsillitis for different pathogens are quite similar, but the drugs that are effective against them are used very different, so the step of identifying the characteristics of microflora is extremely important.
What to treat?
Symptoms of tonsillitis indicate the need to start a timely and appropriate treatment. What exactly to do, the doctor will tell: it is impossible to choose a program, make a course for yourself without having specialized knowledge. Incorrectly selected drugs can worsen the condition of the patient, weaken the already depressed immunity. Features of the course are determined based on the type and characteristics of the foci of inflammation. Bacteria are eliminated by certain means, others are effective against viruses. The treatment programs for tonsillitis as a primary disease and the consequences of another disease are categorically different.
All types of treatment are divided into two types:
- surgery;
- conservative ways.
The second can be used not only in a hospital, but also at home. The doctor chooses the treatment for the symptoms of tonsillitis, but the process usually takes place at home. The doctor only draws up the program and prescribes the drugs, sets the target dates for checking progress.
And if in more detail?
In a mild to moderate form of the disease, a fairly conservative treatment is sufficient. The patient is prescribed:
- washing tonsils;
- removal of plaque;
- exclusion of purulent plugs;
- anti-inflammatory course;
- antimicrobial program;
- drugs to relieve the condition of the throat;
- aerosols;
- rinse;
- antiseptic agents for local use.
If tonsillitis appears very often, proceeds severely, is accompanied by fever, provokes complications, and tonsils become the location of the accumulation of large volumes of pus, surgery is possible. There are cases when an increase in tonsils led to the inability to eat.
There is a risk of a mild to more severe form if the selected treatment program is ineffective and an abscess begins. This condition of the patient requires surgery to remove tonsils. In fact, the need for such a radical method arises only in a small percentage of cases. Almost always, patients are adults.
Home methods: how to help yourself?
Of course, alternative methods of treating tonsillitis cannot replace official medical practices, but the correct application of such techniques can improve the effectiveness of the main course. The disease will be defeated faster, and the likelihood of complications will be minimized.
Quite often, rinses are made at home, using various useful herbs, on which decoctions and infusions are made. A particularly good result will be if the disease develops in a mild form. Symptoms quickly exhaust themselves if you apply rinses infusions prepared for:
- oak bark;
- linden inflorescences;
- sage;
- chamomile flowers pharmacy;
- propolis;
- yarrow;
- hypericum leaves;
- potato tops.
A fairly popular recipe is a combination of potassium permanganate, horseradish rhizomes and hydrogen peroxide.
At night, you can put an alcohol compress on your neck. This method is used to treat adults, since in children it can cause local irritation and even burns to delicate skin. The compress must be covered with a warm shawl or scarf, scarf. If the procedure is accompanied by severe burning, it is better to abandon it.
What else to try?
A good result with tonsillitis shows the use of the Lugol solution for local treatment of foci of inflammation. You can practice such an event only by prior agreement with the doctor, otherwise you can harm yourself. At the appointment, the doctor will explain how to use the solution correctly. At home, you will have to strictly follow the instructions received. Damage to tonsils that were accidentally inflicted on themselves during such a procedure cannot be repaired.
To increase immunity and eliminate pathological microflora, inhalation is recommended. This allows you to quickly and effectively convey the active components to the lesions. A good option for inhalation is garlic tincture, sage broth. Up to three tablespoons of a home remedy are taken per liter of boiling water, bent over a container of water and inhaled vapors. You can use a special device - a nebulizer.
To improve the general condition, the quickest recovery during tonsillitis, you should adhere to bed rest. It is wise to eat fully, avoiding junk food. In the diet should be a lot of vitamins, essential minerals.
How to warn?
By conducting the right prophylaxis, you can minimize the risk from your own experience to find out what are the symptoms of tonsillitis. Even more important is preventive measures for people with weakened immunity, as well as those who are prone to pathologies of ENT organs.
The first and most important thing is to monitor the cleanliness of the oral cavity, regularly brush your teeth. Hygiene and good habits are the key to minimizing the risk of inflammatory processes, infection with pathogenic microflora.
Less risk of getting tonsillitis for people taking measures to boost their immune status. It is necessary not only to protect health, to avoid respiratory diseases, but also to do hardening and exercise. Strong immunity is the guarantee of a minimal chance of getting sick. If infection does occur, the disease will proceed in a mild form and will soon be completely cured.
Doctors say with confidence: tonsillitis is much more likely to develop against the background of vitamin deficiency. You can reduce the risk of the disease if you eat properly and fully. The menu should have plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. If it is impossible to draw up a balanced diet, you should consult a doctor about taking special multivitamin complexes.
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Treatment features
As part of a conservative approach in the chronic form of the disease, the patient is prescribed a set of measures to increase the immune status. It is necessary to temper, exercise in the fresh air, do gymnastics, rubbing with cold water. Physical activity is allowed while the disease is in remission. With exacerbations, a ban is imposed on any sport. If symptoms of tonsillitis bother between exacerbations, you should undergo a course of physiotherapy, including:
- phonophoresis;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- diathermy;
- laser treatment.
For local use are suitable:
- lugol solution;
- iodine;
- iodoglycerin.
The purpose of use is inhibition of the activity of the focus of inflammation. Substances have astringent qualities, soothe irritated tissues.
Antimicrobial drugs are an indispensable part of the treatment of both acute and chronic forms of the disease. Often colonies of a large number of strains of pathological microorganisms are localized on the tonsils, therefore aminopenicillins are most often used.
If a similar course does not show a result, the disease proceeds with complications, the patient is shown surgery. Its necessity is indicated by rheumatism, nephritis, inflammatory processes in the heart membrane, cholangiohepatitis. A tonsillectomy leads to an improvement in the condition of the patient as a whole, and negative changes in the secondary affected organs become less pronounced.
The operation cannot provide a full recovery. Often, chronic infection is localized not only in the tonsils, but also in the tissues nearby, fiber, which means that the removal of all damaged areas is not possible. There is a risk of the spread of inflammatory processes to the lymphatic system.
Consider that prolonged tonsillitis with a high degree of probability can cause an infectious allergy, in which the patient's condition becomes worse over time.