Tonsillitis
Infection or inflammation of a tonsil caused by a virus or bacteria. Acute tonsillitis is often caused by a STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION. If tonsillitis caused by a strep infection is untreated, it may lead to rheumatic fever or kidney disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms include severe sore throat, fever, headache, fatigue, swallowing problems, earache, and enlarged, tender lymph nodes in the neck. Acute cases may also be accompanied by SCARLET FEVER.
Treatment
Tonsillitis can be treated with systemic antibiotics and painkillers, together with warm liquids and soft foods. While a tonsillectomy is still sometimes performed for recurrent cases, this surgical procedure is done much less often today than in earlier decades.
Symptoms
Symptoms include severe sore throat, fever, headache, fatigue, swallowing problems, earache, and enlarged, tender lymph nodes in the neck. Acute cases may also be accompanied by SCARLET FEVER.
Treatment
Tonsillitis can be treated with systemic antibiotics and painkillers, together with warm liquids and soft foods. While a tonsillectomy is still sometimes performed for recurrent cases, this surgical procedure is done much less often today than in earlier decades.
