Tonsillitis: contagious or not for others, causes and treatment

One of the main barriers that protect the human body from ingress of various alien bacteria and viruses are the palatine tonsils, which are part of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring. However, tonsils, like the whole body, are not immune from the occurrence of various infectious and inflammatory processes.

In the presence of adverse conditions, there is a fairly common disease, tonsillitis, in which protective organs become a source of infection and are capable of provoking the emergence of many different health problems.

More about the disease

Tonsillitis is an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by an infection of a viral or bacterial origin, in which one or both tonsils are affected. If untimely treatment of tonsils can be a source of problems associated with the spread of infection to other organs and systems of human organs.

Types of tonsillitis

There are several classifications of the disease.

Primary, secondary and specific tonsillitis occurs.

1. Primary tonsillitis refers to acute damage to the tonsils as a result of general hypothermia, decreased immunity, or as a consequence of the thermal effect on the throat tissue.
2. Secondary called tonsillitis, which develops against other diseases or as a consequence of them. These include diphtheria, leukemia, scarlet fever. Secondary tonsillitis may act as a complication or concomitant symptom of a disease of an infectious origin.
3. Specific tonsillitis is caused only by infectious agents.

In addition, tonsillitis is divided into several groups, depending on the degree of defeat of the protective organs, throat and the complexity of the course of the disease. Distinguish between tonsillitis:

• catarrhal;
• is ulcerative-membranous;
• herpetic;
• phlegmonous;
• lacunar;
• is fibrinous;
• is follicular.

The most common form of the above is catarrhal tonsillitis. This disease is most often found in childhood. When untimely referral to a specialist and as a result of neglect, the disease can change into another type - follicular, the symptoms of which are more pronounced and intense. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply.

In addition, tonsillitis can have two forms: acute and chronic. Disease in the acute form is often called angina. Chronic form of tonsillitis can act as a complication of other infectious diseases. In addition, the symptoms can manifest immediately or after a certain time after curing them. Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis can also appear suddenly without previous and accompanying diseases.

Chronic tonsillitis is a very insidious disease, because it can last for a long time without symptoms. In this case, the protective functions of the body ensure the normal functioning of the tonsils. But enough of a small "push" in the form of hypothermia or cold disease, so that the disease manifested itself. And with untimely treatment, the disease can develop into an acute form.

Reasons for the emergence and development of

The causes of the disease are pathogenic microorganisms, which include:

• Candida;
• chlamydia;
• streptococci;
• of staphylococci;
• pneumococci;
• Moraxella;
• Epstein virus - Barr.

Herpes viruses and adenoviruses can act as pathogens.

Factors contributing to the appearance of the disease

There are several factors that contribute to the emergence and development of tonsillitis. These include reducing the protective functions of the body, hypothermia. Tonsillitis can develop as a result of any airway injury or due to prolonged inflammation of the nose or mouth. The appearance of the disease can be promoted by oral breathing, which results in hypothermia of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

Symptoms of the disease

Tonsillitis in acute form has a pronounced symptomatology, while a chronic disease for a long time can be asymptomatic.

Symptoms of the acute form of the disease include:

• body temperature increase up to 39 degrees and above;
• sore throat, the intensity of which increases with swallowing;
• headache;
• weakness, which is a consequence of the general intoxication of the body;
• pain in muscles and joints of varying intensity.

In young children, tonsillitis in acute form may be accompanied by the appearance of nausea and vomiting.

The chronic form of the disease has its own symptoms:

• the presence of ulcers, films, scars on the surface of the tonsils;
• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• sensation of dry mouth;
• pain in the muscles and joints.

Neuralgic pain may occur.

How contagious is tonsillitis for others?

Tonsillitis is an infectious disease. The danger of infection for the surrounding people exists within 10-12 days after the appearance of the first symptoms. However, many are interested in the question, is chronic tonsillitis contagious? For the surrounding people, the chronic form of the disease is not dangerous.

Treatment of

Treatment of acute tonsillitis is accompanied by the prescription of medications, namely:

• antibiotics: "Cefaclora", "Erythromycin", etc.;
• preparations of local action: "Lugol", "Pharyngosept", "Tantum Verde", "Bioparox".

In addition, a specialist mandatorily prescribes rinsing the oral cavity with a solution of furacilin or chamomile, which will not only help ease the pain in the throat, but also help in the fight against pathogens.

In addition, in the treatment of the disease should adhere to the general rules that help cope with tonsillitis and accelerate the process of recovery. These include bed rest, abundant drinking throughout the day, carrying out hardening procedures and eating soft food. The latter condition is necessary in order to once again not irritate the surface of the tonsils. During treatment it is recommended to eat mashed potatoes, food, crushed in a blender.

Possible complications of

The most dangerous complication after an airway disease is rheumatism, affecting the joints, valvular heart apparatus. In addition, rheumatism can cause the formation of heart disease and lead to the emergence and development of cardiovascular failure.

In addition, possible complications of acute tonsillitis can be various kidney diseases, such as pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, as well as paratonzillitis and paratonsillar abscess.

Consequences of the transferred disease may also be:

• pharyngeal abscess;
• otitis media;
• lymphadenitis;
• sepsis;
• of the phlegmon neck;
• meningitis;
• lymphadenitis.

This is why it is very important to apply to a medical institution for the first time of symptoms of tonsillitis in order to get qualified help.

Prevention

The main task of preventing tonsillitis is preventing the possibility of reducing the protective functions of the body. It is necessary to avoid injuring the tonsils, which can be caused by exposure to overdried or cold air, hard, too coarse and dry food.

It is necessary to restore nasal breathing in a timely manner if there is a violation of it. It is very important to monitor the condition of the oral cavity, including the state of the teeth. When carious formations appear, the dentist should be contacted immediately to prevent further bacterial growth in the oral cavity.

If a person has chronic tonsillitis, the doctor can recommend regular washing with a solution of furacillin or infusion of medicinal herbs. For washing, chamomile, sage, calendula will do. The best option is rinsing in the morning and evening. This measure is necessary for cleaning the oral cavity and for the destruction of pathogenic bacteria that can provoke the development of infectious processes.

It is especially important to observe preventive measures during frost, in the cold season, when there is a general weakening of immunity and the growth of various viral and infectious diseases.

Conclusion

Tonsillitis is one of the most common diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is very important to apply to a medical institution in a timely manner for qualified specialist help, since the tonsils affected by the virus, which carry out the barrier function in the human body, can cause various health problems associated with the spread of infection to organs and organ systems.

In addition, if the acute form of tonsillitis can not be cured in time, the disease can become chronic, its symptoms will be manifested with the slightest weakening of the immune systems of the body.