Follicular Tonsillitis
Important Facts About Follicular Tonsillitis
At some point, you might have been diagnosed with follicular tonsillitis. So what is this medical condition and how can it be treated? More importantly, can it be prevented?
By definition, follicular tonsillitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the lining of the follicles and the tonsils. Most of the time, this happens to individuals that are between the ages of 10 and 25. It is rare in young children, as well as older adults.
Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by a virus. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection, however. When it comes to bacterial infections, the most common cause is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus which is also responsible for causing strep throat.
Follicular tonsillitis most commonly occurs in the springtime. One cause is due to exposure to the cold or wet, while poor hygienic conditions can also be a culprit, too. Other diseases that might contribute to the illness are diphtheria, measles, infectious fevers, and scarlet fever.
Symptoms might include chills, a high fever, body aches, and a sore throat. The pain might extend into the ears and neck, too. When viewing the tonsils, they will probably be red and inflamed with either yellowish or white matter on them. Bad breath, trouble swallowing, and a coated tongue are also associated with follicular tonsillitis. In children, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain might be present.
Tonsillitis is very contagious although can be prevented by taking precautionary methods. Avoiding people with tonsillitis, especially when they have a fever, is favorable. It is also important not to share any utensils, toothbrushes, or glasses with a person who has tonsillitis as the disease can be passed on this way. Washing your hands, as well as your child’s hands, is a good way to kill germs and bacteria that you might have contracted.
Treatment for tonsillitis is based on the cause of the infection, a person’s age and overall health, the extent of the disease, and the individual’s tolerance for medications and procedures, including any allergies they might have.
A physician should be called immediately if there is any abdominal pain and cramping, decreased urine, signs of dehydration, pain on only one side of the mouth, a fever above 104 degrees, or difficulty swallowing. For children, a temperature above 101 degrees should be reported to the pediatrician, especially if measures at lowering it have not been successful.
For the most part, tonsillitis that is caused by a bacterial infection is not treated in the same manner that tonsillitis caused by a viral infection is treated. A bacterial infection can usually be treated with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, effectively. However, a viral infection must be treated differently because antibiotics are ineffective at treating it. Instead, antiviral medications are sometimes used.
In other cases, the physician might try to treat the symptoms until the condition clears up on its own. The individual might be prescribed nausea medication for the nausea and vomiting, for instance, and Tylenol for the pain and fever.
Home treatment is an option, as well. Gargling with warm saltwater might help bring relief to sore, swollen tonsils. Drinking warm or cool beverages, as well as sucking on popsicles might help calm your throat down, too. If a warm beverage feels better on your throat then a cool one, you might want to try drinking warm tea or warm apple juice. Throat lozenges can also help painful tonsils. Most of all, it is important to get plenty of rest. The body is able to repair itself as you sleep so getting plenty of rest is an important part of treatment.