Chronic Tonsillitis
Chronic Tonsillitis: What Is It and What Are the Symptoms?
Chronic tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, the two glands located at the back of your throat. It occurs when the tonsils become infected or swollen and can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. It’s more serious than acute tonsillitis, which comes on quickly and usually clears up on its own or with antibiotics. Chronic tonsillitis can be caused by a number of different bacteria or viruses.
Common symptoms of chronic tonsillitis include:
- A sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck area
- Fever
- Tonsillitis stones (produced by chronic inflammation in the tonsils)
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Difficulty swallowing
If left untreated, chronic tonsillitis can lead to a more serious infection, such as tonsillar abscess. This is a pocket of pus that forms in the tonsils and can cause severe throat pain.
Diagnosing Chronic Tonsillitis
Your doctor will usually perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Your doctor may also do a rapid strep test to check for an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus. If it’s negative, a throat culture will most likely be done to look for other bacteria or viruses that can cause tonsillitis.
Your doctor may also take X-rays or do an ultrasound to check for any blockage in the throat, which would indicate an abscess. Other tests to look for abscesses include a CT scan or MRI.
Treating Chronic Tonsillitis
Treatment of chronic tonsillitis depends on the cause of the infection. Viral infections usually resolve on their own, but antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections. Other treatments may include:
- A throat culture to see if there are any bacteria present that have caused the infection
- Medication to reduce swelling of the tonsils
- Pain relievers to ease the pain
- Antiseptics, such as gargling with salt water, to improve the symptoms
- A tonsillectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils
It’s important to consult your doctor to determine the best treatment for you. If left untreated, chronic tonsillitis can lead to more serious health problems, such as an abscess or a blockage in the throat.