Updated: 05-05-2025
Children are more prone to getting throat infections as they have low immunity.
Clinically, inflammation of the tonsils is known as tonsillitis.
The tonsils are located on both sides of the back of the throat of the child in the form of lumps.
Tonsillitis – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
What Is Tonsillitis?
These are an important part of the immune system and help fight infection.
Many children suffer from recurrent tonsillitis, which occurs several times in one year.
One of the major symptoms of chronic tonsillitis is a sore throat for more than a quarter or three months.
Causes of Tonsillitis
The main cause of tonsillitis is a bacterial or viral infection.
It spreads from one infected person to another through sneezing, touching, or coughing.
In this way, the germs spread via sharing drinks and foods or kissing.
Children going to school and daycare centres are more vulnerable to such infections as they are constantly in touch with other kids who might be infected.
Symptoms and Signs of Tonsillitis
- A sore throat accompanied by fever
- Cough or hoarseness
- Vomiting, abdominal pain, or nausea
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Bad breath
- White or yellow patches on the throat’s back
- Rash in the mouth or on the body
Diagnosis of Tonsillitis
A child’s carer looks into the throat of the child and feels the jaw and neck on both sides.
If the child complains of pain or difficulty in swallowing, the best paediatrician usually prescribes antibiotics or other medications to treat the symptoms.
In case he is not sure, he may advise several tests.
These tests can include:
- Throat Culture
- Blood tests
Treatment for Tonsillitis
The treatment depends upon the signs and symptoms of tonsils, and usually, the frequency of infection lowers as your child grows.
The doctors usually prescribe
- Acetaminophen
- NSAIDs
- Antibiotics
- Tonsillectomy—surgery to remove tonsils
Caring for an Affected Child
- Rest is very important to get relief from pain.
- Hence, make sure that your kid sleeps and rests adequately.
- He may avoid eating or drinking fluids due to fever and throat pain.
- Even then, you must make him eat and drink at regular intervals to prevent loss of energy and dehydration.
- To make up for the loss of fluid due to high temperature, offer cold liquids, popsicles, and even ice cream.
- Gargling with warm salt water is the best remedy.
- It helps decrease the throat pain, making it easier to swallow food.
- You can ask your child to gargle several times a day for fast relief.
- Make sure that your child washes his hands often and especially before eating or drinking.
- Also, you must ensure that he does not share his drinks or food with anyone.
From here, we got a clear idea of what tonsillitis is. and its symptoms, consult your paediatrician or physician at Medicover Hospital Madhapur or a nearby hospital for proper treatment.
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