The tonsils are located in an area of the body that makes it easy to check them during a medical examination, so thanks to a proper diagnosis it can be avoided that the cause of too many problems to the patient.
In addition to the visual diagnosis, it is interesting to know the nature of the tonsillitis in order to be able to prescribe the correct treatment. This is achieved through a hematology or an analysis of exudate. In this way we can know if the cause is viral or bacterial.
When it is an acute tonsillitis, an orderly use of analgesics is necessary, both to alleviate the pain in the throat and to improve the fever caused by the infection. Specific dysphagia medications may also be prescribed to help the patient swallow food more easily.
In those cases where indicated, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be prescribed to directly treat the affected tissues. This treatment should be accompanied by a high intake of fluids, such as water or juices with a high concentration of Vitamin C.
In cases where infections are recurrent and despite antibiotic treatment, phlegmon or tonsillar abscess has occurred, surgical resection or tonsillectomy should be recommended. This technique is currently performed with radiofrequency which minimizes post-surgical symptoms and possible complications.
Risk factors and prevention of tonsillitis
In order to prevent the disease there are a series of measures that can be taken. In children and adolescents it is important to strengthen the immune system to prevent the development of tonsillitis with annual vaccinations or autovaccinations.
As it is a viral disease, it is important to have good hygiene, wash hands frequently and avoid contact with people suffering from the disease.
Smoking, passive smoke breathing and the abuse of alcoholic beverages are habits that are detrimental to overall health, and in this case affect the immune system and create an awareness that makes the person develop tonsillitis more easily.
For more information on tonsillitis, consult an ENT specialist.