Tonsillitis
ENTOverview
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, a type of pharyngitis, usually with rapid onset. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, enlarged tonsils, difficulty swallowing, and swollen neck lymph nodes, and complications include peritonsillar abscess. Most cases are caused by viral infection, though about 5-40% are bacterial, and tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus is known as strep throat.
Symptoms
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Enlarged tonsils
- Fatigue
Treatment
Acute cases focus on symptomatic and anti-infective treatment, with antibiotics under medical guidance for bacterial infection; tonsillectomy may be considered for recurrent cases.
Dietary advice
Drink plenty of warm water, eat liquid or soft foods, and avoid spicy, overly hot, and hard foods.