What is Putaceous tonsillitis?

Putaceous tonsillitis it is a presence of whitish plaques in the crypts of the tonsils or throughout the tonsillar surface. This term identifies the sudden onset inflammatory processes, located in the palatine tonsils..

The tonsils are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of the throat. They work as a defense mechanism helping to prevent infections in the body. When the tonsils become infected, the diagnosis is tonsillitis.

This state is contagious and can be caused by a variety of common viruses and bacteria, such as streptococcal (streptococcus).

This condition can cause serious complications if it is not treated properly. Tonsillitis is easy to diagnose and with treatment, symptoms usually disappear in seven to ten days.

Causes of putaceous tonsillitis

The tonsils are the first line of defense for diseases because they fight bacteria and viruses that enter through the mouth. These two lymph nodes make white blood cells to fight infection..

But the tonsils are also vulnerable to infections from viruses and bacteria. A condition of tonsillitis can be caused by a virus, such as the common cold, or by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat..

According to American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), 15% - 30% percent of tonsillitis cases are due to infection by bacteria. Most streptococcal. 

Symptoms

Depending on the type of tonsillitis, there are many possible symptoms:

1. Severe sore throat
2. Difficulty and pain when swallowing
3. Hoarseness
4. Bad breath
5. Fever
6. Cold
7. Earache
8. Stomach pain
9. Headache
10. Stiff neck
11. Tenderness in the jaw and neck due to swollen lymph nodes
12. Tonsils: they look red and swollen
13. Tonsils: with white or yellowish spots
14. In young children: irritability, lack of appetite, excessive drooling.

Types of tonsillitis

• Recurrent tonsillitis: multiple episodes of acute tonsillitis per year.
• Chronic tonsillitis- Episodes last longer than acute tonsillitis with symptoms including: a) Chronic sore throat b) Bad breath (halitosis) c) Tender lymph nodes in the neck .

When to see your doctor

It can happen that the throat swells so much that it causes difficulty in breathing. Consult a doctor immediately if, in addition, the following symptoms appear: 

1. Fever over 39 ° C - 103 ° F
2. Muscle weakness
3. Stiff neck
4. Sore throat that intensifies after two days

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on a physical examination of the throat. The doctor may choose to take a throat culture, gently rubbing the back of the throat with a swab..

The extracted material is sent to a laboratory to identify the cause of the infection.

Treatment

In benign cases, treatment is not necessarily required, especially if it is caused by the cold virus. In more severe cases, treatments may include antibiotics and even a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils). Currently, tonsillectomies are only recommended in patients who experience chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Antibiotics are prescribed to fight a bacterial infection. It is important that the intake scheme is completed in its entirety. The doctor may ask the patient to schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the results of the treatment..

If a person becomes dehydrated due to tonsillitis, they may need an IV. Pain relievers to relieve a sore throat may help while treatment lasts.

Tips to relieve a sore throat

1. Drink much liquid
2. To rest
3. Gargle with warm water, coarse salt, and lemon juice several times a day
4. Sucking throat lozenges
5. Keep the environment humid using a humidifier
6. Avoid smoke
7. Try not to self-medicate with over-the-counter medications. Always consult a doctor before especially for children.

Complications 

People with chronic tonsillitis may experience obstructive sleep apnea. When the upper airways are inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and this causes the person not to sleep well..

The infection may also get worse and spread to other areas of the body. This is known as tonsillar cellulitis..

The infection can also cause accumulation of pus behind the tonsils or peritonsillar abscess in the surrounding tissue. This may require drainage or surgery..

Tonsillitis symptoms caused by a bacterial infection usually improve days after starting antibiotics. Strep infection is considered contagious until antibiotics are started for a 24-hour period.

If a person does not complete the course of antibiotics or they do not eliminate the bacteria, they run the risk of developing rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Prevention

Tonsillitis is highly contagious. To reduce the risks, you should stay away from people who carry the infection, wash your hands frequently, especially after coming into contact with someone who has a sore throat, coughs or sneezes.  

References

[1] Acute tonsillitis. Comprehensive General Medicine. Volume II Main affections in the family and social contexts. Part XV. Most Frequent Problems of the Respiratory System. Chapter 68. Conditions of the throat, nose and ears. Electronic publications. BVS Cuba. Retrieved from http://gsdl.bvs.sld.cu/cgi-bin/library

[2] Tonsils with pus. Video. Recovered at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS-PGAaW1Z8

[3] Tonsillitis. Written by Ann Pietrangelo and Rachel Nall. Recovered at healthline.com.

[4] A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Retrieved from medlineplus.gov.

[5] Tonsils and throat. Blausen.com staff. Blausen gallery 2014. Wikiversity Journal of Medicine. Recovered at commons.wikimedia.org.

[6] “The classic surgical technique is bilateral extra capsular tonsillectomy, which corresponds to the surgical resection of both palatine tonsils together with their capsule, by dissecting the peritonsillar space. It corresponds to one of the surgical procedures performed most frequently by ENT specialists, reaching, in the United States, more than 500,000 procedures per year in children under 15 years of age ”. Goldsmith AJ. Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and UPPP. In: Bluestone CD, Rosenfeld RM, ed. Surgical Atlas of Pediatric Otolaryngology, 2nd Ed. BC Decker; 2002, p. 379-406. Recovered in scielo.cl.

[7] Treatment and prevention of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Recovered at uptodate.com.