Tonsillitis is a very common problem that affects people, especially children and teenagers. This condition causes an inflammation in the tonsils, which results in difficulty swallowing, fever, and sore throat. In most cases, tonsillitis is only mild and gets better with proper rest and fluid intake. However, there are some cases in which the condition can turn severe and become an emergency. In this article, we will discuss in detail tonsillitis, tonsillitis treatment, and when it becomes an emergency.
What is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is a condition that is defined as the inflammation or infection of the two oval-shaped glands that are present at the back of the throat, known as tonsils. This infection is mostly caused by bacteria and viruses. Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat) are a common bacterial cause of the condition, which requires throat tonsil treatment.
Some of the symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Sore throat
- Red, swollen tonsils
- White or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Fever and chills
- Pain while swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Bad breath and Headache
When does tonsillitis become an emergency?
- Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing: If the tonsils swell way too much, it can block the airway and make the swallowing of food and water very difficult, resulting in dehydration or choking.
- High Fever That Doesn’t Subside: If a tonsillitis is accompanied by a very high fever, that is, above 102, which does not get better even with medications, it might indicate a more serious infection.
- Severe Neck Stiffness or Swelling: This might indicate that the infection has spread well beyond the tonsils to other parts of the throat. It requires an urgent and thorough evaluation.
- Muffled Voice or Drooling: These symptoms may point to a peritonsillar abscess, a pus-filled pocket behind the tonsils that can rapidly worsen if untreated.
- Signs of Dehydration: If the patient is unable to drink or have food due to excessive pain and swelling, and is facing symptoms of dehydration like dryness in the mouth or dizziness, they might require urgent tonsil infection treatment.
- Recurrent Tonsillitis: If a patient is experiencing recurrent episodes of tonsillitis, which might be more than 5-7 times in a year, it can largely impact the quality of life of the patient and might make their daily activities very tough. Under such circumstances, surgical intervention might be required.
Tonsillitis is a very common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. However, if it seems to take a more severe turn, causing uncomfortable symptoms that start to hamper the basic necessities of the patient, they require urgent attention and treatment.
If you are looking for the Best Tonsils treatment in Chandigarh or the best tonsils treatment in Mohali, Sohana Hospital might just be the best option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali is home to the world’s most advanced technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced ENT specialists, who provide the most comprehensive and holistic treatment for all the ENT-related ailments of the patients in the region. Book your appointment today!