The main symptoms of tonsillitis are sore throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, redness or swelling in the throat, fever, chills, and in some cases pus may also appear in the throat.
Tonsillitis, also called tonsillitis, is an inflammation of the throat that can arise due to infections by viruses or bacteria, which can be transmitted through inhalation of droplets of saliva or nasal secretions released into the air when the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. , and can also be transmitted through kissing and contact with contaminated objects.
Read too: Tonsillitis: what it is, symptoms, causes, types and treatment
The treatment of tonsillitis must be carried out under the guidance of an otorhinolaryngologist and varies according to its cause, and oral hydration, anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics or antipyretics, or even antibiotics may be indicated in the case of bacterial infections.
14 symptoms of tonsillitis
The main symptoms of tonsillitis are:
1. Sore throat
Sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis and occurs due to inflammation in the throat caused by the presence of viruses or bacteria.
In the case of bacterial tonsillitis, the sore throat is usually more intense.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
2. Fever or chills
Fever can arise as a defense mechanism for the body to fight viruses or bacteria that are causing inflammation in the throat and the onset of tonsillitis.
Generally, when fever is lower in viral tonsillitis and higher in bacterial tonsillitis, and may be accompanied by chills.
3. Pain or difficulty swallowing
Pain or difficulty swallowing may arise due to inflammation and swelling in the throat, and may occur in cases of tonsillitis caused by viruses or bacteria.
However, the pain or difficulty swallowing is more intense in the case of bacterial tonsillitis. See other symptoms of bacterial tonsillitis.
4. Red throat
Redness in the throat occurs due to the release of inflammatory substances, such as prostaglandins, which increase the dilation of blood vessels to take defense cells to the tonsils and fight infection.
5. Swelling in the throat
Due to the increased dilation of blood vessels in the tonsils, fluids can leak into the tissues, also resulting in swelling in the throat.
6. Bad breath
Bad breath is generally associated with bacterial tonsillitis, due to the proliferation of bacteria that can generate an unpleasant smell.
7. Lumps in the neck or jaw
Bumps on the neck or jaw can appear as a response from the immune system to fight infections, and are more common in the case of bacterial tonsillitis.
8. Stuffy or runny nose
A runny or stuffy nose can arise due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa, being more common in the case of viral tonsillitis, caused by rhinovirus, which is the common flu virus, or other viruses, such as adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus or coronavirus, for example. . Check out other symptoms of viral tonsillitis.
9. Headache
Headache is a symptom of tonsillitis that can arise due to the release of inflammatory substances in the body.
Furthermore, headaches may arise due to the accumulation of secretions in the nose and sinuses, causing pressure in these regions, which is more common in cases of viral tonsillitis.
10. Cough
The cough may arise due to irritation and inflammation in the tonsils, and is generally a dry and irritating cough.
11. Cat and throat
Pus in the throat, which can be seen through small white dots on the tonsils, can appear in the case of bacterial tonsillitis.
This is because in the presence of bacteria, white blood cells go to the tonsils to fight the infection, forming pus that contains white blood cells in the process of degeneration, blood, bacteria and proteins.
12. Body pain
Body pain or general discomfort is also a common symptom of tonsillitis, caused by the release of inflammatory substances in the body.
13. Earache
In cases of viral tonsillitis, ear pain may also occur, due to excess secretions in the respiratory tract, which can also affect the Eustachian tube.
14. Loss of appetite
Tonsillitis can also cause loss of appetite, which may occur due to fever or sore throat.
Children’s tonsillitis symptoms
The symptoms of childhood tonsillitis are the same as tonsillitis in adults, but the child may present some signs such as:
- Difficulty or refusal to breastfeed;
- Tiredness;
- Irritation or agitation;
- Frequent crying;
- Slowness;
- Mouth breathing;
- Drooling more than usual;
- Place your hands over your ears frequently.
In the case of childhood tonsillitis, it is important to take the child to the pediatrician, so that they can identify whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria and, thus, be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
How long does a tonsillitis attack last?
The time that a tonsillitis attack lasts can vary according to the cause of the infection, and in the case of viral tonsillitis, symptoms can last for around 3 to 7 days.
In bacterial tonsillitis, symptoms can last longer, generally around 10 days.
What to do to alleviate symptoms
Some ways to alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis are:
1. Gargle
Gargling with warm water and salt helps to relieve a sore throat, swelling or redness of the tonsils.
Furthermore, gargling with warm water and salt has antimicrobial and antiseptic action, which helps to eliminate microorganisms that can cause inflammation in the throat. See all the options and how to gargle for tonsillitis.
2. Rest
Rest is recommended to help the body recover from tonsillitis and fight the infection, and it is recommended to avoid exertion until complete recovery.
3. Take a slightly cold shower
Taking a slightly cool shower or placing damp cloths on the forehead and armpits may be recommended to help reduce the fever and chills caused by tonsillitis. See other ways to lower your fever.
4. Increase water intake
Increasing your water intake is recommended to avoid dehydration in the case of a fever, and is especially recommended in the case of children or the elderly.
Additionally, increased water consumption helps reduce throat irritation and relieve dry, irritating coughs.
Read too: 7 home remedies for dry cough (and how to do it)
5. Drink anti-inflammatory teas
Drinking anti-inflammatory teas, such as ginger tea or peppermint tea, helps reduce inflammation in the throat and relieve the pain and discomfort of tonsillitis.
6. Rinse your nose with saline solution
Washing your nose with saline solution or inhaling with water vapor helps to thin the secretions in the airways and relieve the feeling of a runny or blocked nose. See how to wash your nose to unclog your nose.
Read too: How to unblock your nose: 11 natural and effective ways
7. Consume more liquid or pasty foods
To relieve a sore throat or pain and discomfort when swallowing, it is recommended to consume more liquid or pasty foods, warm or at room temperature, such as mashed potatoes, pumpkin soup or natural juices, for example. Know what to eat to soothe a sore throat.
How to treat tonsillitis
The treatment of tonsillitis must be carried out under the guidance of an otorhinolaryngologist or pediatrician and varies according to its cause.
Generally, for viral tonsillitis, the most recommended thing is to increase hydration and rest, as the body itself is capable of fighting viruses.
To alleviate symptoms, the doctor may recommend the use of analgesics, antipyretics or anti-inflammatories, such as paracetamol, dipyrone or ibuprofen, for example, which help to reduce fever, relieve pain and swelling in the throat, discomfort when swallowing or pain. Of Head.
These remedies should only be used under medical advice, as they have contraindications, as in the case of anti-inflammatories, which should not be used when dengue fever is suspected.
In the case of bacterial tonsillitis, treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or azithromycin, for example, to combat bacteria and cure tonsillitis. Check out the main antibiotics that may be recommended by your doctor.
Read too: 7 treatments for tonsillitis
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