Tonsillitis Signs and Symptoms Mild cases: 1. Sore or dry throat. 2. An increasingly hoarse or “throaty” voice.
Severe cases: 1. Tonsils so swollen that they fill the back of the throat. 2. Tonsils that are red or have white or yellow spots. 3. Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck. 4. Fever of 100 degrees or higher, headache, or vomiting. 5. Ear or stomach pain.
In children: Refusal to eat because swallowing is painful.
In Adults: Foul-smelling white debris and a burning sensation in the back of the throat.
What to Do Now 1. If your child’s tonsils are simply red (there’s no swelling or white or yellow coating) and he or she does not have a fever or any problems swallowing, you can usually get good results with home treatment. 2. Use a saltwater gargle to help dull the pain and cleanse infected tonsils. 3. Keep your child warm and rested. 4. Give lots of liquids, along with ice cream or frozen yogurt, to soother the throat. 5. Give acetaminophen for fever and pain. (Never give aspirin to a child under 12 who has chicken pox, flu, or any other illness you suspect of being caused by a virus). 6. Sponge the face with cool water to reduce fever.
When to Call a Doctor 1. If your child has a fever above 100 degrees or goes 24 hours without eating. 2. If the tonsils have a white or yellow coating or spots on them. (Use a flashlight to look at them). 3. If the tonsils are so swollen that they are touching; this may mean a serious infection such as strep. 4. If a sore throat is severe and lasts more than two days. 5. If your child has greenish, yellowish, or rusty-colored mucus or experiences nausea, skin rashes, chest pain, convulsions, inflamed or painful joints, or a fever that returns after being absent for a day or two. These may signal an infection in the tonsils or elsewhere.
In adults: If you have difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, and excruciating pain in your throat or jaw.
How to Prevent It 1. Encourage children to avoid bacteria and Viruses by: 2. Washing their hands frequently. 3. Keeping their hands away from their mouths. 4. Moving away from people who are coughing and sneezing. 5. Not sharing cups or silverware.
Note: All suggestions are only fast aid for diseases. |
