Tonsillitis in children – symptoms, causes and treatment
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils which are the fleshy areas located on either side of the back region of the throat. The infection occurs due to the invasion of bacteria or a virus in the body resulting in the tonsils becoming swollen and painful. Tonsillitis is a common and contagious illness experienced by children of all ages.
Symptoms of tonsillitis in children include:
*Inflammation and redness of the tonsils that often leads to a sore throat
*Swallowing of food becomes painful and difficult due the swollen tonsils
*White patches may occur on the surface of the tonsil area
*Tonsillitis can cause the lymph nodes (glands located in the jaw and neck area) to become tender and enlarged
*Fevers, chills and headaches can occur
*Laryngitis, an illness that causes a loss in voice can develop with tonsillitis
Causes of childhood tonsillitis:
Tonsils trap foreign materials invading the body through the mouth and nose. These foreign materials include bacteria and viruses. The invasion results in a mild infection of the tonsils leading to tonsillitis. If this condition is left untreated, the swollen tonsils can affect normal breathing. An accumulation of pus between the tonsils and surrounding tissue can lead to the development of an abscess. The invasion of streptococcal bacteria in the body can lead to a throat infection which may develop into tonsillitis. This complication may lead to skin and nervous system disorders, kidney infections and Rheumatic fever.
Prevention of childhood tonsillitis:
*Frequent hand washing is essential to prevent infections
*Avoid close contact with individuals suffering with a recent illness
*Increase the consumption of fluids and avoid the sharing of drinking and eating equipment to prevent the spread of an infection.
*Throat Lozengers help to stimulate the production of saliva cleansing the throat and decreasing the occurrence of an infection
*Irritants such as smoke inhalation and other pollutants should be avoided to prevent the development a sore throat
Treating tonsillitis in children:
*Tonsillitis caused by a virus is usually treated with self care. This treatment includes: -The consumption of warm fluids that help to soothe the throat
- Frequent gargling of the mouth and throat area with warm salt water has an antibacterial effect preventing further complications from developing
-Medication can be taken to reduce pain and fever
-The combination of honey and lemon is effective in the treatment of tonsillitis. The honey coats and soothes the throat whilst the lemon decreases the production of mucus.
-minimise talking as this can lead to more throat infections and temporary loss of the voice.
-Children should avoid close contact with each other as tonsillitis is a common condition amongst children of school age as viruses and bacteria can easily spread.
*Tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics. It is essential to finish the prescribed dosage to prevent the reoccurrence of the infection. In rare cases steroid medication is given to reduce the swelling of the tonsils
If conventional treatment and remedies render unsuccessful tonsillectomy (surgical procedure remove the tonsils) may be recommended.