Tonsillitis, or inflammation of the angina, is one of the most common conditions in pediatric age, which has intense pain when swallowing, malaise, fever, and sometimes pus plates may also appear.
But tonsillitis does not always imply antibiotic treatment, because sometimes the cause can be viral. We tell you how a viral tonsillitis differs from a bacterial one, and what treatment is required in each case.
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils (or angina) caused by an infection caused by viruses or bacteria. Sometimes, the infection is only located in the angina, although most commonly it also spreads to other surrounding areas, causing inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngotonsillitis).
What symptoms do you have?
You can see redness and increased tonsils, sometimes accompanied by white spots or pus plates, and pain in the submaxillary nodes. There is also a fever, a sore throat and a head, changes in the voice (more hoarse or gangous voice), and sometimes catarrhal symptoms are also associated.
As a consequence of all this, the child experiences:
Difficulty swallowing, drooling and loss of appetite
Weakness, fatigue or agitation
Bad breath
Stomach ache and nausea
Viral and bacterial plaques: how do they differ?
Accompanying the pain and redness of the pharynx and angina, sometimes dots or white spots may also occur on the tonsils or throat: These are called plaques, and the cause can be viral or bacterial.
Of the bacteria that are most frequently involved in episodes of pharyngotonsillitis during childhood, group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (EbhGA) or Streptococcus pyogenes It is the most common, and the only one in which antibiotic treatment would be indicated.
And if we talk about viral causes, adenoviruses are the ones that most often cause throat infection in children under five.
Streptococcal or bacterial tonsillitis is very rare in children under two years of age, and more common in children from five years of age and adolescents.
In Babies and more Antibiotics are not used to cure viruses, or treat colds or flu: bet on responsible useSince proper treatment for tonsillitis or pharyngotonsillitis depends on the cause that caused it, it is important get an accurate diagnosis.
Sometimes, it is enough for the pediatrician to know the symptoms and assess the condition of the child, but on other occasions it is necessary to do additional tests to know if we are facing strep throat:
The fastest test there is is a streptococcus antigen detection test, which can be performed in the office simply and painlessly. It consists of analyzing a sample of fluid from the tonsils and the results are obtained in a few minutes.
There is also another test that would consist of a pharyngeal culture, which is an analysis that is performed in the laboratory and whose results take longer.
How does tonsillitis evolve?
Depending on the cause that causes it, the disease will begin in one way or another, and we will also appreciate changes in its evolution.
Thus, it is usual for viral tonsillitis to be accompanied by catarrhal symptoms and low or moderate fever that will disappear in a matter of three days. Conversely, Bacterial tonsillitis has an abrupt onset, does not usually carry other catarrhal symptoms, and the fever that occurs is high.
In Babies and more Scarlet fever in children: all about contagion, its symptoms and treatmentsHow is tonsillitis treated?
As we have just mentioned, only in case of bacterial tonsillitis we will resort to the use of antibiotics. It is important to follow the instructions prescribed by the pediatrician regarding the amount and duration of treatment, and within 48 hours the effects will begin to be noticed.
Whether it is a viral or bacterial tonsillitis, we can also use analgesics to relieve pain and discomfort, in addition to carrying out the following measures that will contribute to improve symptoms:
Increase the fluid intake
As it is possible for the child to be incompetent because of the pain of swallowing, we can adapt his diet during those days, offering food that is soft and easy to swallowr
Avoid excessively hot food and drinks
Take rest, especially if there is a fever
What complications may occur?
Although not usual, bacterial tonsillitis may present certain associated complications that can become serious, hence the importance of consulting with the pediatrician in case the symptoms persist or notice a worsening.
The suppurative complications associated occur in 1-2% of children with bacterial pharyngotonsillitis untreated or poorly treated, and are otitis media, sinusitis, mastoiditis, purulent adenitis and abscess of the tonsil
As to non suppurative complications would be rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis and reactive arthritis
How can we prevent contagion?
The Viruses and bacteria responsible for tonsillitis are very contagious, and are transmitted through the secretions of the infected person. The basic prevention measures, both for this disease and for similar ones, are:
Frequent hand washing
Ventilation of spaces
Avoid kisses on the mouth, and do not share glasses, plates, cutlery and other utensils
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics recalls that in the coldest months of the year certain viruses responsible for pharyngotonsillitis are more prone, as well as streptococcal infection, whose transmission is favored by the overcrowding of children in closed environments.
Photos | iStock
