Tonsillitis how is it transmitted

In children between the ages of 5 and 15 years , the cause is usually bacterial. Tonsillitis symptoms usually go away within weeks. During this time, a person may benefit from the following home treatments:. People who have bacterial tonsillitis will require antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics help speed up recovery and reduce the risk of rheumatic fever and other potential complications of bacterial tonsillitis.

The best way to avoid tonsillitis is to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that cause the infection. Healthcare professionals recommend:. It is important to maintain good hygiene practices even when nobody appears to be sick. Tonsillitis develops when an infection causes inflammation, irritation, and swelling in the tonsils.

It is much more common among children than adults. In fact, almost every child in the United States has had tonsillitis at least once. Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that cause it are contagious. There are many precautions people can take to help prevent the spread of pathogens that cause tonsillitis.

Examples include practicing good hygiene, containing coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen , can help relieve painful symptoms such as a sore throat. If treating your children with painkillers, it's important to use the correct type and dosage. Younger children only need small dosages. Your pharmacist can advise you about this.

Over-the-counter treatments that can soothe a sore throat, such as lozenges and oral sprays, are also available. Some people find that gargling with a mild antiseptic solution can also relieve a sore throat. Alternatively, you could try gargling with warm, salty water. Mix half a teaspoon of salt 2. It's important not to swallow the water, so this method may not be suitable for younger children. Antibiotics may not be prescribed, even if tests confirm your tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection.

The two main reasons for this are:. In these circumstances, a day course of penicillin is usually recommended. If you or your child is known to be allergic to penicillin, an alternative antibiotic, such as erythromycin, can be used. Hospital treatment may be required for particularly severe or persistent cases of bacterial tonsillitis that don't respond to oral antibiotics.

In these cases, intravenous antibiotics given directly into a vein may be needed. Antibiotics sometimes cause mild side effects, such as an upset stomach, diarrhoea or a rash. For children with mild sore throats, watchful waiting is recommended rather than a tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is only considered for a recurrent sore throat if certain criteria are met. You must have:. Tonsillectomies are carried out under general anaesthetic , which means you'll be asleep during the procedure.

Your mouth will be held open to allow the surgeon to see your tonsils and no cuts will be made in your skin. Each of these techniques is relatively similar in terms of safety, results and recovery, so the type of surgery used will depend on the expertise and training of the surgeon. After surgery, it's likely you'll experience some pain at the site of the operation.

This can last for up to a week. Painkillers can help to relieve the pain. Children who have had a tonsillectomy should be kept off school for two weeks. This is to reduce their risk of picking up an infection from another child that will make them feel more uncomfortable. Swallowing will probably be difficult after having a tonsillectomy. However, it's important to eat solid foods, because it will help your throat to heal more quickly.

Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic drinks, such as orange juice, because they'll sting. Ensuring good oral hygiene by regularly brushing your teeth and using mouthwash can help prevent infection in the mouth.

The pain usually gets worse during the first week after having a tonsillectomy, before gradually improving during the second week. Earache is common with tonsillectomies, but isn't a cause for concern.

Bleeding at the site where the tonsils were removed is a fairly common complication of a tonsillectomy. This can occur during the first 24 hours following surgery or up to 10 days afterwards. It's estimated that around 1 in children and 1 in 30 adults will experience post-operative bleeding after having a tonsillectomy.

Minor bleeding isn't usually a cause for concern, because in most cases it resolves by itself. Just like with a cold also caused by a virus , you'll have to take it easy for several days and let the virus run its course. Rarely, if someone gets tonsillitis a lot, the doctor or an otolaryngologist pronounced: oh-toe-lar-un-GA-luh-jist, a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat problems may recommend a tonsillectomy pronounced: tahn-suh-LEK-tuh-mee. This is a surgery to remove the tonsils.

Tonsillectomy used to be a common procedure, but now experts recommend watching and waiting because large tonsils often shrink on their own over time. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve any pain or discomfort. Don't take aspirin or other products that contain aspirin, though, because these may put you at risk of developing Reye syndrome, an illness that can have serious complications.

Avoid smoking or anything that will irritate your throat. It's best to drink lots of liquids. You may prefer softer foods, like applesauce, flavored gelatin, or ice cream.

If you don't feel like eating, try drinking liquids that contain calories, such as fruit juices, milkshakes, and soups and broths. If you're on antibiotics, it's usually OK to return to school 24 hours after you start taking them if your fever is gone and you feel better. Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Read on to learn more about tonsillitis.

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