Symptoms of tonsillitis

Thursday, 6 January 2011

This condition, not to be termed as a disease, is most frequent in attacking children between the ages 4 – 12, and is seldom found to be associated with the throats of adults. Yet, there are quite a few symptoms that can be kept a check on to ensure the intermingling of tonsillitis with one’s health.

• The tonsils become red with inflammation and show swelling.
• There are found yellow and white colored coated patches on the surface of tonsils.
• The throat signals for help against soreness.
• Swallowing food and even drinking water becomes painful and irritating.
• There is fever, along with cough and a bitter tongue.
• The tender glands in the neck get enlarged.
• The voice becomes scratchy, muffled or hoarse.
• Bad breath seems to be coming from one’s mouth.
• The stomach aches and this symptom is common in children than adults.
• The neck becomes stiff.
• There may be instances of continuity of runny nose and other nasal issues.
• One may complain of an ear ache, as well.
• There’s headache seen in adults.

Tonsillitis also occurs in young children who may not be able to describe the way they feel. They noticeable symptoms to discover this condition in younger children are:

• Loss of appetite due to persistent irritation in the throat and pain in the tonsils while swallowing.
• The children become too fussy, which may not be the usual case.
• There may be seen dribbling of saliva from their mouth due to painful swallowing of the food or water.

Though the symptoms are clear, but sometimes what we think may not be the case with tonsillitis. Hence, it is necessary to call up for a doctor as soon as the following signs become apparent.

• If the soreness of the throat persists even after the first two hot drinks in the morning.
• If unrelenting pain and difficulty experienced during swallowing, drinking or talking.
• If unusual and extreme kind of weakness, fussiness or fatigue is seen.
• If difficulty while breathing is encountered.
• If the appetite has fallen below the danger levels due to problems of swallowing.
• If the drooling is enormous.

Like every diseased condition, tonsillitis also comes up to certain complications, if not looked after at the first instance. The condition may become chronic, i.e. the person may have to live with tonsillitis for a life. So, its better to get in touch with a health care provider as soon as the above cases come into appearance.