Tonsillitis

The tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue located at the back of the throat. They produce antibodies designed to help fight respiratory infections. Tonsillitis results when the tonsils become infected. Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between the ages of three and seven, when tonsils may play their most active infection-fighting role. But as the child grows, the tonsils shrink, and infections become less common. Tonsillitis is usually not serious, unless a tonsillar abscess develops. When this happens, the swelling can be severe enough to block your child's breathing. Secondary ear infections (otitis media) and adenoid problems are other complications.

• A very sore throat with red, swollen tonsils; there may be a white discharge or spots on the tonsils. 
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck under the jaw. 
• A low-grade fever and headache accompanying the other symptoms. 
• In addition to inflamed tonsils, severe pain and tenderness around the area of the soft palate, at the roof of the mouth, and difficulty swallowing. 
• Distinctively muffled speech, as if the child is speaking with a mouthful of mashed potatoes, caused by swelling from the abscess. 
• The child has trouble breathing at night or experiences noisy breathing or episodes of sleep apnea, in which the child stops breathing for brief periods while asleep
  

Calling the doctor as soon as symptoms of tonsillitis are detected in the child could prevent tonsillitis. A visit to the doctor may also be necessary when the child does not respond to antibiotics and has fever or pain, as well as white spots or a discharge on the tonsils, indicating mononucleosis or another infection.

Most tonsil infections and tonsillar abscesses in elementary school-age children are caused by the streptococcal bacterium, the same organism that causes strep throat. Cold or influenza (flu) viruses sometimes also cause tonsillitis. The adenoids, lymphoid tissues located in the nasopharynx, are larger in children and begin to degenerate in puberty. In some children who have repeated infections, adenoid hypertrophy may occur, which leads to nasal obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, and eustachian tube dysfunction with resultant middle ear effusion. Complications from streptococcal tonsillitis include pneumonia, nephritis, ostemyelitis, and rheumatic fever. Acute tonsillitis may become chronic.

Diagnosis may be made through self-assessment. Check child's tonsils, by placing the handle of a spoon on his tongue and asking the child to say "aaahhh" while you direct a light on the back of her throat. The pediatrician should be contacted if the tonsils look bright red and swollen.

Have lemon juice and water each morning with plenty of other high vitamin C juices throughout the day, such as orange, pineapple and grapefruit juice. Get plenty of vegetable protein for healing. Drink plenty of water to keep the body flushed.

Ice the throat with a towel wrapped over crushed ice. Gargle regularly.

Get plenty of rest during acute stage.