{"id":19901,"date":"2020-02-04T06:30:21","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T06:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=19901"},"modified":"2021-10-15T02:17:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T02:17:59","slug":"14-symptoms-of-tonsillitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/14-symptoms-of-tonsillitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Tonsillitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tonsilitis, also referred to as acute tonsillitis (meaning that it is limited in duration), is a condition that affects the tonsils. This is described as chronic tonsillitis should the condition prove to be persistent, or if it should frequently flare-up. This can lead to tonsil stone formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonsils and adenoids are tissues that are similar to lymph nodes or glands, and which are located in the mouth. When these become infected, they can swell up, making it difficult to swallow, and causing pain in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This condition is common among young children but can also affect adults. In this post, we will look at some of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis to help you more easily diagnose and treat the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Obstruction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis is an obstruction to breathing. This is caused by the enlargement of the tonsils and the adenoids, which leaves less space for air to travel through the airways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find it very difficult to breathe, then you should always see a doctor immediately, as this can be a very dangerous symptom. However, a little obstruction is conversely not necessarily something that you need to be very worried about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find this painful, then an inhaler may prove useful. This works by combating inflammation in the airways specifically, which in turn allows more space for air to pass through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also useful is to use other treatments that can combat inflammation. These include the use of analgesics <\/a>such as ibuprofen, as well as a number of different herbs and remedies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Snoring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may notice for instance that obstruction causes snoring<\/a>. This can be unpleasant as it may lead to other issues, such as difficulty sleeping. That, in turn, might lead to low energy, poor concentration, low mood, and headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find that obstruction caused by snoring is making it difficult to sleep, then there are a number of things you can do to alleviate the issue. One is to reduce the snoring by using the aforementioned methods to ease inflammation \u2013 such as inhalers and analgesics. You can also try using a menthol rub. This works by helping to break down mucus, which can otherwise contribute to obstruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to try and encourage yourself to sleep on your side rather than your back. To do this, place a tennis ball in the back of your t-shirt and this will prevent you from being able to get comfortable when lying on your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most notable symptoms of tonsillitis is a fever. This is a rise in body temperature, which is the way that the body attempts to drive out the infection by making the environment less hospitable to viruses and bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High fevers are not dangerous in themselves and are rather the body\u2019s natural response to an invasion which can help you to recover more quickly. However, if a fever <\/a>gets too high, then this can lead to other more serious conditions such as dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key thing to do when experiencing a fever then is to keep checking your temperature to ensure it hasn\u2019t gone too high. In children, anything above 38 degrees Celsius is considered a cause for concern and time to visit the doctor. Drinking lots of water is also very important, to help cool the body down, keep the patient comfortable, and prevent dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Red, Swollen Tonsils<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may notice that you have visibly swollen tonsils if you are suffering from tonsillitis<\/a>. This can make it difficult to swallow and can cause a host of other complications, and it is often uncomfortable. One of the easiest ways to diagnose tonsillitis then is to look inside the mouth and to see the change in appearance for yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as looking red and swollen, you will likely notice that the tonsils have light white spots or dots. Note that these symptoms can also point to other conditions however, so it is useful to consider all of the symptoms together rather than in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonsils are normally covered in light pink mucus and are located at the back of the throat (the pharynx). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Loss of Voice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may notice that you find it difficult to speak, or that you completely lose your voice if you are suffering from swollen tonsils. This is because the large size of the tonsils will make it difficult for you to pass air in and out of the throat normally in order to create different sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find that it is difficult to speak, then it is a good idea to rest your voice as much as possible by avoiding talking. This can be difficult in a social setting, and so it is advisable where possible to take time off of work and to avoid social situations. Especially as you are likely also suffering from fever and lethargy<\/a>; take this time to unwind and relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Coughing Up Blood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may find that tonsillitis causes you to cough up small spots of blood. As you cough, you should do so into a tissue. Inspect the tissue to see if this has left any indication of blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coughing <\/a>up blood can be an alarming experience, as we may associate it with other more serious conditions. The technical term for coughing up blood is \u201cbloody sputum\u201d and it is common in a host of different forms of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloody sputum is more likely to be an issue where it affects the lungs. If the source of the blood is coming from the tonsils, then this is likely not a cause for concern and the issue should be self-limiting (meaning it will cure itself). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other causes of bloody sputum include pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, parasites, nosebleed, lung cancer, chest trauma and more. For these reasons, you should advise from a doctor if you ever notice this symptom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many causes of headaches linked with tonsillitis. For one, tonsillitis as an infection can directly cause headaches, brain fog, <\/a>confusion, tiredness, and poor mood. This occurs due to inflammation that affects the entire body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, when we have any kind of infection, the body will often attempt to fight back by using inflammation. This can help to isolate the area, and it can help to drive out infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This inflammation can be localized, or it may affect the entire body. Where the latter is true, this can also impact the brain \u2013 causing brain inflammation that is associated with headaches, brain fog, tiredness, and even depression. This is why being ill often makes us feel like doing nothing and makes even relaxing activities like reading more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headaches can also be a secondary symptom that results from dehydration, lack of sleep, and numerous other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Enlarged Adenoids<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is not only the tonsils themselves that can become enlarged due to tonsillitis. Equally, you may find that the adenoids become enlarged. These are located in the nose, and thus it can become difficult to breathe through the nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for signs of tonsillitis in young children, then you may miss them if it is the adenoids that are primarily affected. In this case, you should look for symptoms such as breathing through the mouth in order to compensate for a blocked nose. If your child normally breathes through their mouth, then you should consider this to be a sign that they might be struggling with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also have noisy breathing, snoring, and a more nasal <\/a>sounding voice than usual.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Congestion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Congestion <\/a>occurs when the sinuses and airways become blocked with mucus. This mucus is produced by the body in an attempt to flush out the sources of infection and thereby help to restore normal health. However, this can create discomfort if it makes it harder to breathe or to speak. Congestion can also cause difficulty hearing, and even lead to headaches that are the result of pressure building up around the sinuses and the forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a lot of congestion, one thing you can do to help ease this discomfort is to encourage the breakup of mucus. You can do this firstly by drinking lots of water, which will help to dilute the phlegm as it is produced in the body. Another option is to inhale warm steam. Do this by positioning yourself over a bowl, with a blanket over your head. Now hold your head over the warm steam and breathe in carefully (making sure not to burn yourself). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis can be either bacterial or viral. Where there is a high amount of congestion and you notice other cold symptoms such as sneezing and running, this will likely point to a viral infection. This is actually better news for the most part, as it means that the condition will be self-limiting. Conversely, bacterial causes of tonsillitis will require antibiotics in order to treat effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the bacterial form is left untreated, it may recover. However, this may alternatively lead to complications such as rheumatic fever, which can cause permanent damage to the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Sore Throat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis and is caused both by the inflammation itself and also by coughing and sneezing which can exacerbate and irritate the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a sore throat<\/a>, then you can try drinking a remedy made from warm water and honey in order to alleviate some of the discomforts. Likewise, you may consider using analgesics which can help to combat the pain directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is a sore throat but this does not impact the tonsils, this can be known as pharyngitis. If both the throat and the tonsils are impacted, this is known as pharyngotonsillitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you have a sore throat with a mild fever, this may suggest a bacterial infection called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS). In this case, you should speak to a doctor to ensure that you have not contracted strep throat. Strep throat is a more complicated condition that can lead to a number of unwanted and serious complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Contagion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis can sometimes be contagious and other times not. Where tonsillitis is viral, it is likely to be contagious. However, this also depends on whether the person has been exposed to that particular virus in the past.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where it is bacterial, it is always contagious<\/a>. The exception is where tonsillitis has become chronic or where it is regularly contracted, in which case it is less likely to be contagious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this isn\u2019t a symptom as such, it can be useful for diagnosis. For instance, if you know that someone at your child\u2019s school has suffered recently with tonsillitis, then this makes it more likely that your child might also be experiencing the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Swollen Lymph Nodes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as swollen tonsils, it is also common for those with tonsillitis to experience swollen lymph glands. These glands are located just below the jaw at the front of the neck. In order to examine whether you may have swollen lymph nodes, try gently touching just below one corner of the jaw and feeling for signs of swelling or inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that swollen lymph nodes do not always point to tonsillitis. In fact, some people will find that their lymph nodes are prone to becoming swollen whenever they suffer from any <\/em>kind of infection of feel otherwise under the weather. If you are one of those people, this can still be a useful sign that you need to start taking it easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may find that you feel a lot more tired when you have tonsillitis. This is your body\u2019s way of telling you that you should relax and take it easy, in order to give yourself a chance to recover. When you push yourself physically or even mentally, this can increase your resting heart rate and your metabolism<\/a>. This, in turn, causes blood to circulate more quickly around the body, potentially helping the condition to spread. At the same time, causes of stress will suppress the action of the immune system, thereby leaving you far more susceptible to becoming ill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiredness is caused by a number of different effects when you have tonsillitis. For one, you will feel tired because the body is trying to fight the infection. The immune system is working in overdrive, and this is going to leave you with less energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the difficulty sleeping will also mean that you feel more fatigued than usual. So too will the physical action of coughing and working harder to breathe, and so too will the inflammation that is affecting the brain. For all these reasons, you should make sure to give yourself the rest you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Difficulty Swallowing <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may find it becomes harder to swallow once you have tonsillitis. This, of course, is due to the swelling around the throat and the mouth, and the location of the tonsils themselves. If you are finding it hard to swallow, then you should try eating softer and more soothing <\/a>foods. Things like yogurts, protein shakes, and soft bread with honey can all be good options. Bananas work well too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most important is that you do keep eating, as your body will need the extra energy to help fight the infection. Try to consume additional vitamin C and vitamin D, as these are vitamins that help to support the immune system in combating any illness.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>