Tonsils are tissue clusters located at the back of throat behind and above the tongue. Tonsillitis is a condition in which inflammation and swelling is caused at these tonsils due to infection. It normally occurs as a part of pharyngitis, a kind of throat infection. Tonsillitis generally begins with a painful swallowing and sore throat. The several kinds of tonsillitis are acute tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis, recurrent tonsillitis and peritonsilar abscess. This tonsillitis is normally caused by either a bacterial or viral infection.
What is Tonsillitis caused by?
1.Streptococcus Pyogenes Bacteria: When the tonsillitis is caused by bacterial infection then the common organism which causes it is streptococcus pyogenes. It
is also known as Beta hemolytic group A streptococcus or generally strep bacteria. This bacterium causes strep throat and may even lead to fever. The incubation period for this bacterium to pick up infection and cause disease is from 2 to 4 days and can also be less at times. Due to the infection of strep throat, the tonsils will swell and some white infectious spots would occur. This can also lead to extreme headache and swelling of glands situated under the jaw. Also when this strep throat is not treated at its stage, then it could lead to serious condition known as rheumatic fever that will affect the heart after few years.
2.Epstein-Barr Virus: The other disease causing organism is virus. Epstein-Barr virus is a common kind of virus which causes glandular fever and it is an
infectious mononucleosis. This can be usually seen in young people and during close contacts. This fever will usually cause tonsillitis and there are also other viruses that cause tonsillitis. They are simplex virus, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus virus and measles virus.
3.Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): A study shows that tonsillitis can be caused by exposure of Human papilloma virus (HPV). About 30% of tonsillitis cases in
Lithuania in 2004 are found due to this virus.
4.Fungi and Parasites: Tonsillitis is also caused by some fungi and parasites. These are rare in people and it does not occur in people who have healthy and
strong immune systems.
Tonsillitis caused by Spreading
1.Tonsillitis can also be caused by spreading from one person to another. Some droplets of pathogens will pass through from infected person by air during
breathing, coughing and sneezing. Infection can also happen to a person when the pathogens stick on the skin or any other contacts of objects near to the nose, eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes. After the exposure, the symptoms will be appeared in 2 to 5 days.
2.Taking antibiotics will shorten the contagious period of about 24 to 48 hours from starting of antibiotic therapy.