An infectious disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the tonsils is called tonsillitis. It can be caused by various microorganisms, but most often the causative agents are streptococci and staphylococci, which penetrate the body both in contact with contaminated objects or products, and by airborne droplets. Purulent tonsillitis in a child occurs when blood circulation is disturbed in the tonsil region, which leads to difficulties in supplying tissues with nutrients. Most often, a surge in incidence is observed in the periods of autumn and spring.
Purulent tonsillitis in a child: causes
Streptococci, staphylococci, as well as other bacteria, fungi and viruses that excite a sore throat, can penetrate the body both from the inside and outside. In the first case, pathology is the result of chronic caries or runny nose, gum disease. In the second case, people who are already infected carry the infection. During their sneezing or coughing, bacteria enter the environment. Such factors as reduced immunity, hypothermia, a large amount of dust in the air can also provoke a disease in children.
Purulent tonsillitis in children: types
Pathology can be of a lacunar or follicular type. With lacunar angina, inflammation occurs in the mucous membrane of lacunae. As a result of the infectious process and the death of tissues, pus accumulates there, which then emerges from the gaps in the form of yellow plugs. With follicular tonsillitis, inflammation occurs in the follicles of the tonsils, on the mucosa of which appear formations containing pus. It should be noted that the pathology can be mixed in nature and affect both lacunae and follicles at the same time.
Symptoms of purulent tonsillitis in children
After penetration into the body of the child, microorganisms begin to multiply rapidly. In less than a week, the first symptoms of the disease appear . They may occur earlier if the immune system is weakened. Purulent tonsillitis in a child begins with general weakness, headaches, chills, aching joints, slight sore throat, which leads to difficulty in swallowing. In just a few hours, the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, the sore throat intensifies and does not stop even at rest. Tonsils, palatine arches, tongue turn red, and then pustules form on the surface of the tonsils. In addition, purulent tonsillitis in a child can manifest itself with symptoms such as swelling of the neck and mucous membrane of the oropharynx, runny nose and cough, abdominal pain, skin rashes, eye inflammation, and enlarged lymph nodes. If you do not start treatment on time or do not follow the rules, severe consequences can occur, including nephritis, heart problems, abscess, sepsis, rheumatism.
How to cure a purulent sore throat for a child
Do not try to treat the pathology with folk remedies. Other, more serious diseases may have similar symptoms with angina . Self-medication is fraught with complications and even death, so if you notice inflammation of the tonsils in a child , consult a doctor. As already mentioned, purulent tonsillitis leads to fever and weakness, so bed rest is indicated during treatment. You can only eat food that does not injure sore tonsils: cereals, mashed potatoes, broths. In large quantities, you should drink a warm liquid: fruit drinks, teas, compotes. Antibiotic drugs such as ampicillin, penicillin, etc. are used as drug therapy. Even when the acute symptoms disappear, antibiotics should be continued for some time, otherwise a relapse of the infection process is possible.