Friday, August 03, 2007

Thank God for internet. Now it's so much easier to explain things to people, without myself explaining first. Please do know there are people like ME who needs your prayer whenever i sound out TONSILLITIS! Apart from the TITANIUM (known as Thalassemia minor) blood running through my dad, yanda and myself, i'm pretty much prone to to below mentioned. The picture used are for the faint hearted. Not for the faint hearted, please log on to www.google.com or www.yahoo.com and under "images" tab, type TONSILLITIS.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the back of the mouth. A sore throat is the common symptom. In addition, you may also have a cough, fever, headache, feel sick, feel tired, painful swallowing, and swollen neck glands. Pus may appear as white spots on the enlarged tonsils. Symptoms typically get worse over 2 to 3 days and then gradually go, usually within a week

What is the treatment for tonsillitis?

• Not treating is an option as many tonsil infections are mild and soon get better
  
• Have plenty to drink. It is tempting not to drink very much if it is painful to swallow. You may become mildly dehydrated if you don't drink much, particularly if you also have a fever. Mild dehydration can make headaches and tiredness much worse
  
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen ease pain, headache, and fever. To keep symptoms to a minimum it is best to take a dose at regular intervals as recommended on the packet of medication rather than 'now and then'. For example, take paracetamol four times a day until symptoms ease
  
• Aspirin gargles may ease the soreness. Dissolve some soluble aspirin in water and gargle for 3 to 4 minutes. You can do this 3 to 4 times a day. Spit out the aspirin after gargling. (You should not give aspirin to children under 16)
  
• Other gargles, lozenges, and sprays that you can buy at pharmacies may help to soothe a sore throat. However, they do not shorten the illness. They tend to be expensive, and may do little extra to ease symptoms than the above measures
  

Do I need an antibiotic?
Usually not. Most bouts of tonsillitis are due to viruses, although some are due to bacteria. Without tests, it is usually not possible to tell if it is a viral or bacterial infection. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but do not kill viruses. However, an antibiotic is not thought to make much difference even if bacteria cause the tonsil infection. Your immune system usually clears throat and tonsil infections within a few days, whether caused by viruses or bacteria. Also, antibiotics can sometimes cause side-effects such as diarrhoea, rash, and stomach upsets. An antibiotic may be advised if the infection is severe, if it is not easing after a few days, or if your immune system is not working properly (for example, if you have had your spleen removed or if you are taking chemotherapy, etc)

Occasionally, tonsillitis is due to an uncommon cause such as glandular fever. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, or if they do not ease within 3 to 4 days

What about having my tonsils taken out?
Removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be an option if you have frequent and severe bouts of tonsillitis. That is, five or more infections over a year. Also, when each infection is severe enough to affect normal life (such as needing time off work or studies). The value of tonsillectomy is uncertain - throat infections are not prevented if the tonsils are removed, however, for some people, the number and severity of throat infections may be reduced after tonsillectomy

Source: Adapted with permission from a © document supplied by EMIS and PIP

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