COMMON INFECTIONS OF CHLDHOOD: TONSILLITIS
Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils, and is part of the spectrum of upper respiratory tract infections in children.
Cause
Tonsillitis is caused most often by one of the common viruses, but sometimes it can be caused by a germ (bacterium). It is often impossible to distinguish between viral and bacterial infection. For this reason, many doctors will treat tonsillitis with a course of antibiotics, or even an injection.
Clinical features
The child will complain of a sore throat and sometimes of difficulty in swallowing. There may be a fever and the glands in the neck may be enlarged and tender. Very often he will have a headache, a runny nose and many of the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection as described above. The symptoms usually improve after a few days and disappear within a week.
Sometimes the doctor may order a throat swab to determine whether a virus or bacterium is causing the infection, and occasionally a blood test may be helpful. No other tests are generally useful or indicated.
If the infection is a viral one, no specific treatment is necessary. However, it is often difficult clinically to distinguish between an infection caused by a virus and one due to a germ, so the doctor will often prescribe a course of antibiotics. This is given in the form of a mixture, tablets or capsules to be taken by mouth. Very occasionally, if the child is sick or has difficulty swallowing, the antibiotics are given by injection, but this is not usually necessary.
General treatment is similar to that suggested for a cold. Gargling with warm salt water may ease a sore throat, as will frequent warm drinks and lozenges. Specific food (e.g. ice cream and jelly) has no proven value, except that the child enjoys it.
When to see your doctor
See upper respiratory tract infection (colds).
Prevention
There is no effective way to prevent tonsillitis.
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