Throat Discuss Throat Condition

Tonsillitis

A discussion of throat conditions: Tonsillitis and Quinsy

Tonsillitis and Tonsillectomy: Overview

The tonsils are described as being "…part of a ring of lymphoid tissue (Waldeyer's ring) that encircles the entrance to the food and air passages in the throat." (Jacoby and Youngson, 2005, p. 2235) The tonsils grow rapidly but regress to a great degree after puberty. They function as part of the human immune system. As such they are an integral part of the body's defense system against disease. "They are ideally situated to monitor ingested material and to react to those materials that could pose a threat to the well-being of the body." (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) The tonsils also produce antibodies that combat local infection.

Tonsillitis is a fairly common infection of the throat which sometimes results from a dangerous bacterium, streptococcus which infects the tonsil. (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) While the bacterium is the cause, this condition can also be precipitated by other factors such as stress."Stressors of various kinds often seem to precipitate the disease of tonsillitis in the individual." (Asen, Tomson, Young & Tomson, 2003, p. 4)

It is important to understand the difference between a common sore throat and tonsillitis. A sore throat can be caused by many factors and refers to the inflammation of the tissues of the throat in varying degrees of severity. Tonsillitis on the other hand refers specifically to the inflammation of the tonsils. (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2010)

The difference between a simple, ordinary sore throat and tonsillitis is also the length of time that the latter persists. With tonsillitis the throat condition can last for more than one week. This infection of the tonsils can result in the tonsil becoming enlarged and inflamed. Pus may also exude from the surfaces of the infection.

(Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) Consequently, "Infections which start with a sore throat or pharyngitis often spread to nearby tissues and involve them too. The most commonly affected neighboring organ is the tonsil." (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2011) With Tonsillitis the sore throat becomes more severe and swallowing...

The tonsil once infected usually becomes red and swollen. It is also very painful, with an accompanying high temperature. If this condition is not treated it can lead to a more severe condition which is known as Quinsy or a peritonsillar abscess.
The usual symptoms of tonsillitis include the following.

Discomfort of the pharynx

Pain experienced while swallowing

This pain may also extend to the ears

Some patients also experience discomfort on turning their head because of swelling of the glands in this region

Malaise and vomiting may occur, especially in children

A fever almost always accompanies the infection, but it varies in degree.

(Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2011)

1.1. Occurrence

This infection is most commonly found in the younger age demographic, usually in children between the ages of four and six as well as in puberty. (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) There is also a pattern of reoccurrence with this disease in that if the tonsils are infected they become more prone to infection later on.

1.2. Treatment

Tonsilitus responds to antibiotics and "… improvement can be expected within 36-48 hours." (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) Symptomatic relief is provided by the absorption of liquids as well as from painkillers such as aspirin that reduce the temperature caused by the infection.

2. Tonsillectomy

Recurrent infections may necessitate the removal of the tonsils in a process known as tonsillectomy. As one study notes; "A stage is reached when removal of the tonsils is the only sensible way of controlling the illness." (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005, p. 2236) This occurs when local inflammation due to the infection of tonsils becomes extreme, sometimes causing swallowing to be difficult. This in turn makes antibiotics ineffective. This in turn makes antibiotics ineffective. The removal of the tonsils takes place under general anesthesia and the procedure is known as a tonsillectomy.

3. Quinsy

Quinsy is a medical term that refers to a complication of tonsillitis when a peritonsillar abscess develops. In this case, after the tonsil becomes infected, an abscess forms between…