Tonsillitis Treatment in India - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Tonsillitis is an infection which happens in your tonsils, the two small lumps of tissue which is at the back of your throat.

Tonsils act as the filters that trap germs. If it does not work properly germs can enter your airways leading to infection. It also creates antibodies to fight against infection. But sometimes it gets covered up with viruses and bacteria, which results in swelling of the tonsils leading to tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis is more common in children, but adults can also have it. Tonsil treatment depends on the symptoms and causes of the infection.

What are the Types of Tonsillitis?

There are mainly three types of tonsillitis:

• Acute tonsillitis- In this type of tonsillitis, the symptoms last for about 3 to 4 days or sometimes even to 2 weeks.
• Recurrent tonsillitis- This is the type of tonsillitis where you face the problem many times in a year.
• Chronic tonsillitis - This is the type where you have a long-term tonsil infection.

What are the Causes of Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is often caused by viral infections or sometimes bacterial infections. Streptococcus is the most common type of bacteria which causes tonsillitis.

Some other causes of tonsillitis are:

• Influenza virus
• Adenoviruses
• Parainfluenza viruses
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Herpes simplex virus
• Enteroviruses

What are the Common Symptoms of Tonsillitis?

Some common symptoms of tonsillitis are:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Coughing
• Headache
• Stiff neck

How do Tonsils get Infected?

The tonsils work as an immune system to defend against the viruses and bacteria that try to enter the mouth. The continuous defence of germs sometimes makes the tonsils vulnerable to swelling and infection.

What are the Risk Factors Involved in Tonsillitis?

There are some factors leading to a greater risk involved for tonsillitis:

■ Age - Children between the age of 5 and 15 tend to get tonsillitis, which is caused by bacteria and virus infection. Adults also have the chance of getting tonsillitis.

■ Exposure - Children spend more time outside with other kids in schools and parks. They are more exposed to the world of infection, which can lead to tonsillitis.

What are the preventive measures taken for tonsillitis?

The virus that causes tonsillitis is contagious. So, the best prevention to take is to maintain good hygiene. You should:

• Wash your hands frequently, before and after eating and after using the toilet
• Don't share your food and utensils
• Must change your toothbrush after being diagnosed with tonsillitis
• Be at home when you are ill
• Use tissue paper while sneezing and coughing
• Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing

Tonsillitis in Adults

Tonsillitis mostly affects children, but in some cases, adults can also develop it. Tonsillitis happens when there is swelling in the tonsils.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis for Adults

The symptoms of tonsillitis for adults are:

• Pain due to swelling
• Sore throat
• White or yellow coating on your tonsils
• Red, swollen throat and tonsils
• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Scratchy voice

What are the causes of tonsillitis in adults?

Tonsillitis is caused by viruses and bacteria. The viruses are:

• Influenza virus
• Common cold viruses
• Cytomegalovirus
• Measles virus etc

Tonsillitis in Children

Tonsillitis is very common in children. It generally occurs when children have a cold, cough and runny nose.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis in Children

If a child has tonsillitis, they may have the following symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargic
• Pain in the ears
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

What is the diagnosis procedure of tonsillitis for children and adults?

The doctor will first start with a physical examination of the children or adults. These include:

• With the help of a lighted instrument, the doctor will look at your throat as well as nose and ears to check the infection area.
• A rash named scarlatina associated with cases of strep throat will be checked by the doctor.
• The doctor will gently feel whether there is swelling in the lymph nodes.
• The doctor will examine your breath using a stethoscope.
• The doctor checks the enlargement in the spleen to check if there is mononucleosis, which creates swelling in the throat

The diagnosis process also includes tests like:

■ Throat swab - Your doctor will rub a sterile swab to test saliva as well as cells from the throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample will get tested in a lab or a clinic to check whether the tonsillitis is caused by streptococcal bacteria.

You will not face any problems and will get the results in 10 to 15 minutes. However, some other tests may require several hours or some days.

If the test is positive, it means you have a bacterial infection. But if the test is negative, it means you have a viral infection.

■ A complete blood cell count (CBC) - The doctor may take a complete blood cell count to figure out the number of blood cells, whether it is high or low in numbers. The blood cells will show the reason behind your tonsillitis. A CBC is not needed to diagnose strep throat but it will help in examining the cause of tonsillitis.

What is the Treatment for Tonsillitis?

Whatever the reason for tonsillitis is, bacterial or viral infection, you need the best tonsillitis treatment to make yourself better and more comfortable and promote recovery. There is not much difference between tonsillitis treatment for adults and children.

Home Care

If you face tonsillitis due to a viral infection, home care will be the best treatment for it. Use these home care strategies to recover fast :

■ Gargle with salt water - Gargling with salt and warm water can help in soothing your sore throat and the pain of tonsillitis. It can also help in reducing the swelling of the tonsils.

Take one and a half teaspoons of salt in one glass of warm water. Gargle for some seconds, then spit out the water.

■ Take rest - You should take plenty of rest and sleep.

■ Provide fluids - You should drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and your body hydrated.

■ Warm beverages - Warm liquids like soup, ginger tea, or fennel tea, broth, or warm water with honey can provide comfort and reduce inflammation.

■ Cold beverages - Cold can also be highly effective in tonsil treatment. You can have cold drinks, popsicles, and ice creams that will be effective in reducing inflammation and can soothe your sore throat.

■ Humidifier - If you are experiencing dry air around yourself, try using humidifiers. It will add moisture to the air, which will help in relieving your sore throat. Humidifiers are also beneficial when your tonsillitis is caused by the virus. Use a humidifier at night to have a sound sleep.

■ Avoid irritants - Try to keep your home free of cigarette smoke and products having strong smells, like home cleaning products.

Antibiotics

If your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe you a course of antibiotics.

Penicillin is a pill which you must take for 10 days. This antibiotic treatment is suggested for group A streptococcus and is the most common.

You must complete the full course of the antibiotics to get away with the symptoms. If you miss one dose of antibiotic, it may affect your infection. It may lead to spreading the infection in other parts of the body or other risks like rheumatic fever or inflammation in the kidney.

Surgery

Surgery to remove tonsils is called Tonsillectomy. It is used when you have frequent recurring tonsillitis, chronic or bacterial tonsillitis, as these doesn't respond to the treatment of antibiotics.

Tonsillectomy is only recommended to you if your tonsillitis keeps coming back. It means if you face the problem more than seven times in a year, or four to five times in a year for continuous two years, or three times or more in a year for continuous three years.

It can also treat other medical-related problems. They are-

• Breathing problems
• Loud snoring
• Sleep apnea
• Bleeding in the tonsils
• Cancer in the tonsils

Preparation for the Surgery

Before the surgery, you need to follow some rules.

• Don't take anti-inflammatory medicines
• Ask your doctor about any medication you must take
• Don't eat anything after midnight before the day of your surgery
• Plan in advance for your home recovery

Recovering from the Surgery

After the surgery, you might experience some pain. So you must take full rest to recover from the surgery. Stay hydrated, and drink lots of warm fluids. You must eat soft foods like ice cream, oats, or pudding for a couple of days. Avoid eating spicy, hard or crunchy things. if your doctor prescribes you medicine, complete your course of medication. You will be able to get back to your normal life within two weeks.

Cost of Tonsils treatment in India

Many people from Arabic countries like Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia travel to India seeking the best treatment at minimum cost. As the cost of Tonsils treatment in India is too low, international patients gain many benefits with the best medical service. The hospitals in India are equipped with the latest technologies and the best doctors in the world. For tonsils, the treatments like Tonsillectomy and coblation Tonsillectomy,Coblation is a new method where the surgeon uses an electrically powered handpiece that 'burns' tissues using low temperatures.Coblation Tonsillectomy has increased the recovery period of a child, making it easier for him/her to return to normal activities and diet. and medications like Antibiotics, NSAIDs, and Analgesics are available in India. The cost of Tonsils treatment in India is listed below.

Conclusion

Tonsillitis must be treated in its initial stage so that you don't have to face many problems in the tonsil treatment. Most people recover while taking rest at home, some can by taking antibiotics. However, some people have to undergo surgery. So if you see any symptoms in yourself, consult a doctor to prevent further problems.

Tonsillitis Treatment FAQs