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Chronic Tonsillitis

Chronic tonsillitis is a condition in which the tonsils become infected and cause a variety of symptoms over a prolonged period of time.

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Symptoms of Chronic Tonsillitis

Individuals with chronic tonsillitis may experience the following symptoms:

      • Chills
      • Earaches
      • Stomach aches
      • Very sore throat
      • Scratchy-sounding throat
      • Fever
      • Bad breath
      • Difficulty or pain while swallowing
      • Stiff neck
      • Headaches
      • Tonsils that appear red and swollen
      • Jaw and neck tenderness from swollen lymph nodes
      • Tonsils that have white or yellow spots
      • Tender lymph nodes in the neck
      • Tonsil stones, which are materials like dead cells, saliva and food build up in the crevices of the tonsils

Young children may also experience:

      • Irritability
      • Excessive drooling
      • Poor appetite

Patients should schedule a visit to their doctor if they experience neck stiffness, muscle weakness, a fever higher than 103°F, or a sore throat that lasts for more than two days. Severe cases of tonsillitis may cause the throat to swell to the extent that an individual has difficulty breathing.

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Causes of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis may be caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, or by a virus, such as the common cold. Other viruses that can cause tonsillitis include hepatitis A, HIV, rhinovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Viral tonsillitis may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, staying hydrated and resting to help the body heal. Bacterial tonsillitis may be treated the same way as viral tonsillitis, but patients may also be prescribed antibiotics.
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How Tonsillitis is Diagnosed

During a doctor’s visit, the physician will examine the back of the throat and swab the back of the throat to help identify the cause of infection. Patients may also need to give blood for a complete blood count test to determine if the infection is viral or bacterial.

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Patients with chronic tonsillitis may need a tonsillectomy, which is a procedure done to remove the tonsils. A tonsillectomy can help relieve breathing problems and improve a patient’s ability to swallow.

Two weeks before surgery, patients will need to stop taking anti-inflammatory medicine, such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen, as they can increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. Patients will also need to fast after midnight before the tonsillectomy to reduce the risk of feeling nauseous from the anesthetic.
One way of removing the tonsils involves using a scalpel, which is called “cold knife (steel) dissection.” Another method, cauterization, involves burning away the tissues. Ultrasonic vibration may also be used to perform a tonsillectomy. The patient will be under general anesthesia and the entire procedure will take about half an hour.
It is normal for patients to experience some pain after the surgery, in their jaws, ears, neck and throat. They may take pain medication to help alleviate pain. Patients should rest the first two to three days after the surgery and stay hydrated. Safe foods to eat include warm broth, applesauce, pudding, oatmeal and other soft foods. Patients should avoid eating hard, spicy or crunchy foods for a few days. It is also normal for patients to snore in their sleep for the first two weeks after the procedure. However, they should give their doctor a call if they experience difficulty breathing after the first two weeks.

Though tonsillectomies are commonly performed, patients may experience the following side effects:

      • Infection
      • Bleeding
      • Swelling
      • Adverse reaction to anesthetics

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