How to Deal with Tonsillitis in Children

What are Tonsils?

Tonsils are important lymphoid organs in the body with immune functions. They produce lymphocytes and antibodies, helping the body fight off bacterial and viral infections.

Appearance and Location of Tonsils？

Palatine tonsils are a pair of oval-shaped lymphoid organs, usually light pink in color, with a smooth and soft surface. Depending on their location, tonsils can be classified into palatine tonsils, lingual tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils, and tubal tonsils.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis？

Tonsillitis is common in preschool and school-age children. Typical symptoms include:

Red, swollen tonsils

White or yellow spots on the tonsils

Sore throat

Difficulty or pain when swallowing

Fever

Enlarged and painful neck lymph nodes

Hoarse or low voice

Bad breath

Refusal to eat

Unusual irritability

Treatment Methods for Tonsillitis

Viral Infection: If tonsillitis is caused by a virus, it usually resolves on its own within 7-10 days. During this period, it is recommended to get plenty of rest, drink fluids, gargle with salt water, keep the air humid, use lozenges to soothe the throat, and take fever-reducing medications if necessary.

Bacterial Infection: If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are required for treatment. Penicillin is commonly used to treat tonsillitis caused by Group A streptococcus, with a typical course lasting 10 days. If the child is allergic to penicillin, the doctor will prescribe an alternative antibiotic. It is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if the symptoms disappear, to ensure the infection is fully cured.

References:

Mayo Clinic Family Health Book