Tonsillitis
Tonsil is a mass of lymphatic tissue one each in the lateral(side) walls of the nasopharynx(where the far end of the nasal cavity meets with the oral cavity)the size of almonds. The basic function of these tissues is to provide resistance against disease and they normally subside by the time the kids are in their teens. The problem arises when they get inflamed and enlarged and start interfering with normal swallowing and eating. Infection of the tonsils is commonly seen in school going children.

Signs and symptoms:
Pain at the angle of the jaw and also sometimes in the ear.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Fever is often present.
Foul breath.
Inflamed oral cavity.

Treatment:

• It normally would consist of antibiotics for 7- 10 days, analgesics(pain relievers) and warm saline gargles.

Complications:

• Greatly enlarged tonsils, i.e. when tonsils meet each other in midline, can lead to difficulty in breathing.
• Attacks of acute tonsillitis can be associated with recurrent attacks of pain & infection in the ears.
• When certain bacteria are the causative organisms of acute tonsillitis and the infection is not resolved it may lead to heart disease in these patients.
• A child suffering from recurrent attacks has a slow development & frequently misses out on school.
• In adults, recurrent attacks of acute tonsillitis can predispose to formation of intraoral abscesses which then present as emergencies.

Surgery for Tonsillitis:
If the child is having recurrent attacks (approximately two attacks in a month); when tonsils are interfering with speech swallowing & respiration; when there is risk of developing heart disease then surgery to remove the tonsils( tonsillectomy ) should definitely be considered.

Suggested Reading -
Childhood infections - pneumonia to pink eye - Childhood brings with it many common infections and illnesses. Get practical tips on how to recognize and handle there.

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