Finished Strep Throat Antibiotics and My Tonsils Has White Patches on It Again

Tonsillitis

Besides called: Tonsil Inflammation

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Summary

What are tonsils?

Tonsils are lumps of tissue at the dorsum of the throat. There are two of them, one on each side. Forth with the adenoids, tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps trunk fluids in balance. Tonsils and adenoids work by trapping the germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils. Sometimes along with tonsillitis, the adenoids are as well bloated.

What causes tonsillitis?

The crusade of tonsillitis is unremarkably a viral infection. Bacterial infections such equally strep pharynx tin can likewise cause tonsillitis.

Who is at risk for tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is most common in children over age 2. Almost every child in the United States gets it at to the lowest degree once. Tonsillitis caused past bacteria is more than common in kids ages 5-15. Tonsillitis acquired by a virus is more common in younger children.

Adults can get tonsillitis, only it is not very mutual.

Is tonsillitis contagious?

Although tonsillitis is not contagious, the viruses and leaner that cause information technology are contagious. Frequent handwashing tin help forbid spreading or catching the infections.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

The symptoms of tonsillitis include:

A sore throat, which may be astringent
Red, swollen tonsils
Trouble swallowing
A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
Swollen glands in the neck
Fever
Bad breath

When does my child need to see a wellness care provider for tonsillitis?

You should call your health care provider if your child:

Has a sore throat for more than than two days
Has trouble or pain when swallowing
Feels very sick or very weak

Yous should get emergency intendance right away if your child:

Has problem breathing
Starts drooling
Has a lot of trouble swallowing

How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

To diagnose tonsillitis, your child's health care provider will first ask yous well-nigh your child's symptoms and medical history. The provider will look at your kid'due south throat and neck, checking for things such as redness or white spots on the tonsils and swollen lymph nodes.

Your child will probably also have one or more tests to check for strep throat, since it tin can cause tonsillitis and it requires treatment. Information technology could be a rapid strep test, a throat civilisation, or both. For both tests, the provider uses a cotton swab to collect a sample of fluids from your child'southward tonsils and the back of the throat. With the rapid strep test, testing is done in the office, and you go the results inside minutes. The throat culture is done in a lab, and it usually takes a few days to get the results. The throat culture is a more reliable test. So sometimes if the rapid strep test is negative (meaning that information technology does non testify whatsoever strep leaner), the provider will also practice a throat culture just to make certain that your child does not take strep.

What are the treatments for tonsillitis?

Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. If the cause is a virus, there is no medicine to care for it. If the cause is a bacterial infection, such every bit strep throat, your kid volition need to have antibiotics. It is of import for your kid to finish the antibiotics fifty-fifty if he or she feels better. If treatment stops also soon, some leaner may survive and re-infect your kid.

No matter what is causing the tonsillitis, in that location are some things you tin can do to help your child experience improve. Brand sure that your kid:

Gets a lot of rest
Drinks enough of fluids
Tries eating soft foods if it hurts to swallow
Tries eating warm liquids or common cold foods like popsicles to soothe the pharynx
Isn't around cigarette smoke or do anything else that could irritate the throat
Sleeps in a room with a humidifier
Gargles with saltwater
Sucks on a lozenge (but exercise not give them to children under four; they can choke on them)
Takes an over-the-counter pain reliever such every bit acetaminophen. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin.

In some cases, your child may need a tonsillectomy.

What is a tonsillectomy and why might my child need one?

A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. Your child might need information technology if he or she:

Keeps getting tonsillitis
Has bacterial tonsillitis that does not become amend with antibiotics
Has tonsils are also big, and are causing trouble animate or swallowing

Your child usually gets the surgery and goes habitation afterwards that solar day. Very young children and people who have complications may need to stay in the hospital overnight. It can take a week or ii earlier your child completely recovers from the surgery.

Having Your Tonsils Taken Out (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation)
Tonsillectomy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Tonsillectomy - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Too in Castilian
Tonsils and Tonsillectomies (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)

Peritonsillar Abscess (American University of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Recurring Strep Pharynx: When Is Tonsillectomy Useful? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Enquiry) Too in Spanish
Tonsillar Cellulitis and Tonsillar Abscess (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Castilian

Tonsils (National Cancer Institute)

Peritonsillar abscess (Medical Encyclopedia) Likewise in Castilian
Tonsil and adenoid removal - belch (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Tonsillectomy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Tonsillitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

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Source: https://medlineplus.gov/tonsillitis.html