Tonsillitis In Children
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? Tonsillitis (tawn-sih-LI-tis) is a tonsil infection (in-FECK-shun). The tonsils are lumps of tissue on each side of the back of your child's throat. Tonsils are part of the immune system. This means they help fight germs that cause infection in your child's nose, throat, and sinuses. Tonsillitis is most common in young children, but anyone may get it. Your child may have a throat infection and tonsillitis at the same time.
Causes: Tonsillitis is caused by a germ called a virus or a bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh). The most common bacteria that causes tonsillitis is streptococcus (strep-toe-KAH-kus). It is the same germ that causes "strep throat". Viruses and bacteria may be spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or touching.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Raw, red, and swollen throat and tonsils.
- Tonsils may have gray-white or yellowish coating or patches on them.
- Your child feels like he has a "lump" in his throat.
- Fever, headache, or earache.
- Tender, swollen areas on the sides of your child's neck.
- Problems talking, swallowing, and sleeping.
- Your child is not hungry. He will not eat because his throat hurts too much.
- Fussy and tired.
- Upset stomach, vomiting (throwing up), or abdominal (belly) pain.
Caring for your child with tonsillitis:
- Throat culture: Your child's caregiver will look at your child's throat and tonsils. A throat culture may be done to learn which type of germ is causing the tonsillitis. A throat culture is done by rubbing a cotton swab against your child's tonsils and back of the throat. Other family members may need to have a throat culture if strep is causing your child's tonsillitis.
- Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine: This is needed if your child's tonsillitis is caused by "strep". Without antibiotics, strep can cause rheumatic (rew-MAH-tik) fever, which is an illness that can damage the heart. Always give your child his antibiotics until they are all gone, even if your child feels better. No special treatment is needed if your child's tonsillitis is caused by a virus. Antibiotic medicine will not help tonsillitis that is caused by a virus.
- More ways to help your child: Help your child rest as much as possible. Do not smoke around your child. Run a cool mist humidifier in your child's room. If your child is 8 years or older, have him gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water.
- Surgery: Large tonsils may need to be removed if they are causing swallowing, sleeping, or breathing problems. They may be removed if your child gets tonsillitis often. To learn more, ask your child's caregiver for the CareNotes™ handout about having a tonsillectomy.
- Eating and drinking: If your child's throat and tonsils are very sore, he may not feel like eating or drinking very much. Give your child soft foods that may feel good in his throat like popsicles, frozen fruit pops, jello, or warm soups. Give your child 6 to 8 glasses of liquids like water and fruit juices each day.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
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