aarrghh...tonsillitis

Definition
Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.

Causes
When bacteria and viruses enter your body through your nose or mouth, your tonsils act as a filter — engulfing the offending organisms in white blood cells. This may cause a low-grade infection in your tonsils, which stimulates your immune system to form antibodies against future infections. But sometimes the tonsils are overwhelmed by a bacterial or viral infection. The result is tonsillitis.
Various viruses and bacteria can cause tonsillitis, including the virus that causes mononucleosis (the Epstein-Barr virus) and the bacterium that causes strep throat (Streptococcus pyogenes).

Symptoms
Tonsillitis is characterized by red, swollen tonsils. You may also notice white patches on the tonsils. Other signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:
§ Difficult or painful swallowing
§ Headache
§ Fever and chills
§ Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the jaw and neck
§ Ear pain
§ Fever, chills
§ Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe
§ Voice changes, loss of voice

Diagnosis
The health care provider will check your tonsils and the back of your throat for signs of infection, such as redness , have white spots on them and pus. The lymph nodes of the jaw and neck may be enlarged and tender to the touch.
A culture of the tonsils may show bacterial infection. A culture for the streptococcus bacteria (strep) may be taken because it is the most common and most dangerous form of tonsillitis.

Treatment
# Tonsillitis is typically treated with self-care or antibiotics. Although surgery is no longer the standard treatment for tonsillitis, it may be recommended in some cases.
# Self-careIf tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection, you'll need to let the virus run its course. #Drink warm, soothing liquids — such as soup, broth and tea — and gargle with warm salt water. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) can help reduce fever and decrease pain. Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome — a potentially life-threatening illness — don't give aspirin to children younger than age 12.
# AntibioticsIf tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Oral antibiotics typically need to be taken for at least 10 days. Stopping medication early may cause the infection to come back — which can lead to potentially serious complications.
# Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is rarely needed for adults. During childhood, surgery may be recommended if:
§ child has seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in one year
§ child has five or more episodes of tonsillitis a year for two years
§ Swollen tonsils interfere with your child's breathing or swallowing
§ An abscess develops in the tonsils

Prognosis
Tonsillitis symptoms usually lessen in 2 or 3 days after treatment starts. The infection usually is cured by then, but may require more than one course of antibiotics. Complications of untreated strep tonsillitis may be severe. A tonsillectomy may be recommended if tonsillitis is severe, comes back, or does not respond to antibiotics.

Complications
# Pharyngitis - bacterial
# Pharyngitis - viral
# Dehydration from difficulty swallowing fluids
# Peritonsillar abscess or abscess in other parts of the throat
# Rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders
# Kidney failure
# Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
# Sometimes the swelling can be so severe that the roof of the mouth and tongue meet, blocking airflow and making swallowing extremely difficult. Rarely, the abscess may spread into the bloodstream or into the neck or chest.
# Some strains of streptococcal bacteria that cause tonsillitis can also cause kidney inflammation (nephritis) a serious condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin.