Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Are you or your child suffering from sore throats? Tonsillitis is often the culprit. Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils, two round pieces of lymphoid tissue at the back of the mouth or throat. This is a very common condition in children, seen mostly from preschool through the teenage years, but can also occur later in life. Tonsillitis is often due to a viral or bacterial infection. Many people are familiar with the term “strep throat,” which specifically refers to tonsillitis caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.

Symptoms

A person with tonsillitis will frequently experience a sore throat and may notice swelling or redness of the tonsils. There may be white patches in the throat, a fever, bad breath, or swelling of lymph nodes in the neck. Signs of a more serious infection include changes in voice, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty opening the mouth.

Treatment

At our ear, nose and throat offices in Danbury, Ridgefield, New Milford, Norwalk, and Southbury we treat both children and adults for tonsillitis. Treatment of tonsillitis typically includes rest, hydration, and antibiotics if the infection is bacterial. A tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, is considered when there are recurrent infections, or when there a child has a snoring problem with signs of sleep apnea. Surgery is performed under anesthesia, typically as an outpatient, with a one to two week recovery period.

If you or your child is having recurring tonsillitis, or suspect your child may have sleep apnea, visit one of our ENT offices in Fairfield County, CT and let an ear, nose and throat specialist help you with diagnosis and recommended treatment options.

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