Increased body temperature, painful sensations in the throat, weakness, headache - people usually attribute these symptoms in the spring-winter period to a common cold. However, often such signs indicate the development of a dangerous infectious disease, which doctors call purulent tonsillitis. The disease is manifested by severe inflammation of the tonsils (glands), located in the nasopharynx. The infection primarily affects the parenchyma and lymphoid tissue lining the tonsils. The disease is dangerous due to severe complications that develop when symptoms are ignored and there is no proper treatment.
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Structure of the tonsils
The palatine tonsils, or tonsils, are an important organ of the human immune system. The tonsils are located in the oral cavity on both sides of the pharynx. The tonsils are shaped like an almond (hence the name “almond”) and range in size from one to four centimeters in diameter. The tonsils are endowed with a protective function. They are a kind of barrier to bacteria entering the body through airborne droplets, as well as through food intake. The structural features of the tonsils and the functions they perform are directly related to the appearance of tonsillitis plugs in the throat.
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On the surface of the tonsils, winding canals and openings are visible - lacunae and crypts.
When viruses from the outside enter the mouth, leukocytes in the tonsils are activated and begin an intensified process of forming antibodies that fight the “enemy.” At the same time, a signal is sent to all organs of the immune system, and the body comes into “combat readiness”.
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- Dajer-Fadel WL., Borrego-Borrego R., Flores-Calderón O., Argüero-Sánchez R., Navarro-Reynoso FP., Ibarra-Pérez C. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis associated with spinal cord abscess. // Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann - 2013 - Vol21 - N1 - p.90-2; PMID:23430432
- Oda T., Yasunaga H., Matsumura Y., Watanabe G., Zaima Y., Takaseya T., Wada Y. Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with unstable angina pectoris and bronchiectasis. // Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg - 2014 - Vol20 Suppl - NNULL - p.761-4; PMID:23364226
- Dedov II., Terekhin SA., Kalashnikov VIu., Mitish VA., Doronina LP., Tokmakova AIu., Galstian GR., Melkozerov KV., Peretokina EV. [Single-step endovascular revascularization of the kidney, lower limb and endovascular reconstruction of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with type 2 diabetic mellitus]. // Angiol Sosud Khir - 2012 - Vol18 - N3 - p.51-6; PMID:23059607
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is an inflammatory process in the tonsils. The disease can be acute or chronic. The acute form is better known as tonsillitis. In chronic cases, periods of exacerbation (inflammation of the tonsils) are replaced by a period of remission (calm). Most often, the disease occurs in children 5-15 years old, although adults are also susceptible to the disease. The tonsils in children are larger than in adults. The palatine tonsils reach their maximum size by the age of 7, and then begin to shrink. Constant viral attacks on the tonsils lead to tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis most often acts as a complication after an infectious disease (sore throat, caries, etc.). The chronic form of the disease, according to statistics, occurs in 5% of adults and 11% of children. That is, chronic tonsillitis is a common disease. Tonsillitis plugs on the tonsils often appear with chronic tonsillitis.
Reasons for appearance
Purulent tonsillitis in a child is of an infectious nature, and is provoked by the increased activity of pathogenic pathogens such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, diplococcus. When identifying the causative agent of infection, one should not exclude the penetration of influenza, parainfluenza, and adenovirus viruses into the child’s body. Other provoking factors for inflammation of the tonsils are presented below:
- Treatment of sore throat with beets and vinegar
- prolonged hypothermia of the body;
- environmental factor and climate change;
- physical or emotional fatigue;
- decreased immunity;
- diseases of the ENT organs.
Causes of chronic tonsillitis
The chronic form of tonsillitis often develops as a complication after a sore throat. Many patients try to cure a sore throat on their own and take medications uncontrollably. Some, having received doctor’s recommendations, do not follow the instructions and finish the course of taking antibacterial drugs earlier than expected, noticing an improvement. This is a huge mistake! Untreated sore throat causes the disease to enter the chronic stage and the formation of tonsillitis with purulent plugs. The main causative agents of the disease are streptococci and staphylococci.
Exacerbation of tonsillitis is favored by:
- chronic inflammatory process (sinusitis, caries, sinusitis, etc.);
- proliferation of adenoids;
- deviated nasal septum;
- damage to the tonsils;
- hypothermia;
- weak immunity.
How to cure the disease?
In order for the child’s well-being to improve quickly, it is necessary to follow all the doctor’s recommendations. You can treat purulent sore throat in children by following a number of rules:
- drink plenty of fluids;
- take antibiotics, antipyretics and antihistamines;
- gargle;
- take vitamins;
- take eubiotics.
It is important not to carry out warming procedures if the child has a fever. Treatments include:
- compresses;
- warming creams and ointments in the neck area;
- inhalation.
These activities are not recommended if you are ill.
Your child needs plenty of fluids. Since he will sweat when drinking large amounts of fluid, it will be easier for the body to regulate body temperature, and bacterial toxins will be eliminated from it faster. Thanks to the consumption of fluid, it happens that there is no need to take antipyretic drugs or their use is canceled before the due date.
How to gargle a child's throat?
One of the main methods of treating sore throat is rinsing the throat, which can be used for children of the older age category, but for preschoolers and younger children, sprays and aerosols are used.
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Sprays include:
- orasept;
- Lugol;
- hexoral;
- miramistin;
- stopapangin;
- chlorophyllipt;
- antiangin;
- tantumverde;
- cameton.
These drugs are allowed to be used to treat sore throat in children over 2 years of age.
Rinsing is considered an auxiliary method, since antibiotics are the main thing in the cure.
For older children, you can prepare decoctions of various herbs for gargling, which have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
- Chamomile.
- Sage.
- Calendula.
If you gargle frequently, you can eliminate the pain and restore the tonsils earlier than expected.
Rinsing is carried out 5 times a day for no more than 2 minutes. There is no need to carry out the procedure often and for a long time, due to the opposite effect occurring with constant vibration of the tonsils, their tissues will take longer to recover.
The following solutions are used for rinsing:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution;
- 1% iodinol solution;
- potassium permanganate;
- 2% boric acid solution;
- rotokan;
- stomatophyte;
- solution from furatsilin tablets;
- a solution of iodine, table salt, baking soda and water.
If the child cannot rinse the throat, then lozenges can be used.
- Septolete.
- Faringosept.
- Grammidin.
- Strepsils.
- Strepfen.
- Doctor Mom.
- Karmolis.
Medications
It is important to know that there is no quick cure for sore throat. Even if you are treated actively for 3 days, the results will be satisfactory. The minimum duration of illness is a week, the maximum is 14 days.
If, after taking the prescribed medications for 3 days, the child feels better, the fever has gone away, and an appetite has appeared, you should not deviate from treatment, as the microorganisms could simply hide. Therefore, in order to avoid new outbreaks of sore throat and prevent complications from developing, follow the doctor’s recommendations and take the medicine as much as prescribed in the prescription.
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Many pediatricians recommend consuming B vitamins, vitamin C, and these can also be vitamin complexes.
- Centrum.
- Multitabs.
- Pikovit.
- Alphabet.
Antibiotics
Often, treatment of sore throat involves taking antibiotics of the amoxicillin group along with clavulanic acid.
- Augmentin.
- Amoxiclav.
- Ecoclave.
- Flemoclav.
- Solutab.
If the baby has an allergic reaction to penicillins, macrolides are prescribed.
- Sumamed.
- Cheromycin.
- Azitrox.
- Macropen.
It is necessary to treat purulent sore throat with antibiotics for at least a week. The doctor may also prescribe topical antibiotics. One of these is the Bioparox spray inhaler. It happens that sulfonamide antimicrobial agents are used, such as Biseptol, Bactrim. They are weak; bacteria do not often react to these drugs. If there is no result on the 3rd day, strong remedies are prescribed.
When treating with antibiotics, it is necessary to use eubiotics.
- Acipol.
- Bifidumbacterin Forte.
- Linux.
- Lactobacterin.
- Biobakton.
- Bifiliz.
- Acylact.
- Bifiform.
Medicines to reduce fever
Often, when you are sick, your body temperature rises. To bring it down, you can use the following medications:
- ibuprofen;
- paracetamol;
- calpol;
- efferalgan;
- mefenamic acid;
- Nurofen.
In addition to lowering the temperature, these agents have an anti-inflammatory effect.
The use of drugs to lower the temperature is allowed if it rises above 38 degrees. If the level is lower, you should not take them, since the body independently tries to fight the pathogen.
Taking antipyretic drugs should not exceed 3 days.
If you can’t get rid of the temperature with medications, you can try traditional medicine to solve the problem. To do this, you need to undress the child and wrap him in a diaper soaked in cold water. You can grind with an alcohol solution by mixing water and alcohol in equal quantities. You need to drink fluids more often. It can be like water, teas, compotes. The following will help increase sweating and reduce temperature:
- black currant;
- raspberries;
- cranberry;
- cherry.
Traditional methods
If purulent tonsillitis in children has been diagnosed, treatment at home can be carried out using traditional methods, but only with the permission of the pediatrician. Since, even using the well-known chamomile decoction to rinse the throat, it may not fit into the treatment regimen and slow down the patient’s recovery process. The methods used to treat sore throat at home complement the prescribed treatment by the pediatrician, and sometimes relieve signs of the disease.
Basically, treatment involves the use of medicinal herbs for rinsing. You need to drink teas:
- using raspberries;
- honey;
- lemon;
- mint;
- rosehip;
- linden;
- thyme;
- with cumin.
You can drink warm milk, adding honey and butter to it. It is necessary to treat the tonsils with a propolis solution.
Why do traffic jams occur with tonsillitis?
The main factor in the formation of purulent plugs on the tonsils is the constant presence of a focus of inflammation, provoked by viruses. There are always bacteria in the human mouth - they are not dangerous to health. Once in the gaps, they are killed by immune cells. The tonsils of a healthy person are capable of self-cleaning - dead microorganisms are removed from the lacunae and enter the stomach with saliva, where they are destroyed under the influence of gastric juice.
But as soon as dangerous viruses enter the body, a large number of leukocytes are sent to fight them, the mucous membrane of the tonsils swells, and self-cleaning of the lacunae under such conditions becomes difficult. Dead bacteria and leukocytes begin to accumulate in the tonsils - purulent-caseous formations appear. If you do not consult an otolaryngologist in time and do not begin treatment for purulent tonsillitis plugs, the process can become irreversible and lead to the destruction of the tonsils.
Purulent formations and chronic tonsillitis
In the chronic form of the disease, inflammation in the tonsils does not completely disappear, but only subsides for a while. Bacteria are always present in the lacunae of the tonsils, and the increased formation of a large number of leukocytes does not stop. Since the chronic form is characterized by the absence of pronounced signs of the disease, the appearance of purulent plugs goes unnoticed by the patient. White blood cells surround the bacteria, and a purulent formation appears. Over time, substances containing calcium and magnesium accumulate in them. As a result, the plugs harden.
Among the reasons for the formation of traffic jams are:
- diseases of the nasal cavity that are chronic (for example, sinusitis) - some of the bacteria from the nose certainly gets into the throat;
- lack of proper oral hygiene - here bacteria are constantly present and when immunity decreases, they enter the tonsils; food debris can also get stuck in the gaps and become “material” for the hardening of purulent masses;
- weak immunity - a person is unable to cope with the infection on his own, and the disease becomes protracted or chronic;
- damage to the tonsils - infection can easily get into the wound. Often it is the site of injury that becomes the location of a new purulent formation.
Symptoms of purulent plugs in the throat
Traffic jams are a factor by which chronic tonsillitis can be recognized. Therefore, when traffic jams appear, all the signs of this chronic disease are present. The following symptoms can be identified during an exacerbation of tonsillitis.
Constantly recurring sore throats - if there is inflammation in the tonsils, then this is not an indicator of chronic tonsillitis. But if a person is susceptible to the disease more than two or three times a year, then we can confidently say that we are dealing with a chronic form of the disease.
Friends! Timely and correct treatment will ensure you a speedy recovery!
The next symptom is redness and swelling of the palatine arches, to which inflammation from the tonsils can spread. Adhesions can form between the palatine arches and the tonsils - they seem to stick together with each other.
Enlarged lymph nodes are another sign of the disease. The manifestation of tonsillitis is accompanied by elevated body temperature. In the chronic form, a temperature of 37°C can last from several days to several weeks. The patient feels constant fatigue, lethargy, and performance decreases. All these are signals of adverse changes occurring in the body.
Symptoms of purulent plugs in the throat
The first sign is a feeling that there is something in the throat: like a lump; A dry cough may accompany these unpleasant sensations. The patient has difficulty swallowing and has a sore throat.
Severe pain in the throat is accompanied by a putrid odor from the mouth, which cannot be muffled even with the help of toothpastes. This smell is the result of the activity of bacteria accumulated in traffic jams. Caseous formations are also visible upon visual inspection - curdled tubercles of a white-yellow hue are immediately noticeable on the tonsils. It happens that the pustules are not immediately visible, but as soon as you press on the surface of the tonsil, for example, with your tongue, these white-yellow tubercles begin to appear.
Blockages in the tonsils can bring a lot of unpleasant and even dangerous consequences to the patient: if the infection travels with the blood or lymph flow further through the body, it can cause problems with the heart, kidneys and joints. In order not to have to treat complications from tonsillitis, it is necessary to get an appointment with an otolaryngologist in a timely manner and begin treatment for tonsillitis with purulent plugs.
Stages of disease development
The disease progresses rapidly. This is especially true in children and adults with a weakened immune response. Symptoms depend on the current state of the body, age, concomitant diseases and the stage of infectious tissue damage.
Signs of the development of the disease at different stages from the moment of infection:
- 2-3 days.
This stage is characterized by the maximum severity of the symptomatic picture. The patient's tonsils increase significantly in size and white or yellowish ulcers appear on their surface. The inflammatory process covers the entire surface of the tonsils. The patient notes deterioration in health, weakness, loss of appetite and signs of fever, including an increase in body temperature to 39-40 ° C. The patient also experiences excruciating pain in the throat, which gets worse when swallowing. - Day 4
The ulcers that form on the tonsils begin to spontaneously open, releasing the contents (pus). In their place, lacunae are formed - characteristic depressions. If at this stage the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations, the lacunae quickly close. - 5-6 day
. At this stage, patients feel a noticeable improvement in their condition - body temperature normalizes, headaches go away, strength and appetite are restored. - 7-10 day
. The last pathological sign – sore throat – recedes. The size of the lymph nodes located under the lower jaw also decreases. The patient ceases to feel pain and discomfort in this area.
Competent and timely therapy allows you to avoid serious complications.
Treatment of tonsillitis plugs
The appearance of plugs indicates long-term inflammation occurring in the body, so the removal of purulent plugs must be combined with measures to treat chronic tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis should be treated by a competent otolaryngologist. Only an ENT doctor knows how to treat tonsillitis plugs effectively and safely. There is no need to try to get rid of pustules on your own at home. Many patients begin to put pressure on the tonsils, scraping off the “plaque” with a spoon and other improvised means. But this measure is ineffective - pus is removed only from the surface, but this is only the tip of the iceberg, the main problem is inside. Such inept actions often lead to injury to the tonsils, which will only provoke the appearance of new caseous formations.
Origin and treatment plan for purulent sore throat in a child
In most cases, the cause of the development of purulent sore throat in a child under three years of age or older is the penetration of infection - pathogenic bacteria can be obtained from the outside or concentrated in the oral cavity, for example, in a [carious] tooth. The causative agents are most often streptococci and similar microorganisms. [Strep throat of viral origin (herpetic)] has a different set of symptoms and different clinical recommendations for treatment. The effectiveness of treatment is determined primarily by correct diagnosis and selection of medications.
How to treat a purulent form of sore throat
The purulent form of sore throat in children requires complex treatment:
suppression of the activity and reproduction of the pathogen - pathogenic microflora and bacteria;
exposure to the source of the disease with antiseptic drugs;
relieving symptoms of general intoxication in the body;
control body temperature and, if necessary, reduce it.
For each task there is a set of remedies that are prescribed by the doctor depending on the age, condition of the child and the course of the disease.
Important to know: Which medications for sore throat are most effective
Conservative method of removing tonsillitis plugs
Conservative treatment consists of:
- Treatment with medications (antibiotics and the duration of treatment is prescribed directly by the ENT doctor. Treatment of chronic tonsillitis should begin at the time of exacerbation, not remission. As a rule, the patient is prescribed the drugs “Amoxicillin”, “Amoxiclav”, “Summamed”, “Azithromycin”, etc. .).
- Gargling (solutions of furatsilin, soda, decoctions of chamomile, St. John's wort, string, from pharmaceutical products - Miramistin, Rotokan, etc. are excellent).
- Inhalations (as agreed with the doctor).
- Rinsing the lacunae of the tonsils (the most effective method for removing purulent accumulations. Performed only by an otolaryngologist. Rinsing is carried out using a syringe or a TONZILLOR device.
When carrying out a course of rinsing, the patient's condition significantly improves, the tonsils look healthier, and are cleared of purulent accumulations.
With chronic tonsillitis, the period of remission of the disease increases.
Forms of purulent sore throat
There are two varieties:
- Purulent sore throat, affecting the lacunae of the tonsils. The infection is localized in the upper part of the throat and does not penetrate deeper. Purulent deposits are easily separated with a spatula.
- Purulent tonsillitis affecting the lymph nodes. The infection penetrates deeper and affects the lymphoid apparatus. Purulent exudate cannot be separated manually. The condition is extremely serious and threatens the formation of a peritonsillar abscess. Urgent medical attention and hospitalization are required.
Surgery
Tonsillectomy - removal of the tonsils - is the most radical way to get rid of the problem. It is used in the most extreme cases, when conservative methods do not bring the desired relief, and the indications for surgery must be quite serious. Before removing tonsils, you need to carefully weigh everything and first try a full range of conservative treatment measures. By removing the tonsils, you are deprived of a natural natural barrier against viruses and infections. You need to fight to preserve your tonsils to the last!
Tonsils are removed using a scalpel, laser or liquid nitrogen. Your ENT doctor will definitely tell you about all the intricacies and consequences of tonsillectomy.
Doctors' recommendations
Therapy for sore throat necessarily includes gargling; if the deposits are localized deep in the crypts, it is better not to touch them so as not to provoke the development of complications. If it is necessary to remove accumulations, only a specialist in a medical institution can do this.
Opening and squeezing out purulent follicles on your own is very dangerous. At home, you cannot completely remove all the contents and clear your throat well. As a result of damage to the integrity of the mucous membrane, an unprotected wound surface is formed in the throat. It is an open gate for pathogenic bacteria to enter.
There is a high risk of developing an abscess, especially when pus penetrates deep into the tissue. Its occurrence can provoke a severe deterioration in the patient’s well-being. And the only method of getting rid of the problem is surgical intervention - opening the abscess.
Treatment of angina should be comprehensive and carried out under the supervision of a specialist. You should listen to your doctor's recommendations. This will help speed up the patient’s recovery and prevent the development of complications and side effects.
Traditional medicine and preventive measures
Treatment with folk remedies for removing accumulated pus is not entirely effective - plugs located deep in the tonsil cannot be removed. With their help, you can only soften the surface of the plugs to facilitate their rejection and use herbal decoctions when gargling and disinfecting it.
To reduce the risk of traffic jams, you need to follow some simple tips:
- carefully monitor oral hygiene;
- treat sore throat and inflammation in the nose and mouth in a timely manner: sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, caries, stomatitis;
- avoid hypothermia;
- for chronic tonsillitis, follow the recommendations of your ENT doctor, do not forget about preventive complexes of physiotherapy and tonsil rinsing;
- Strengthen your immune system and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Traditional methods of treatment
There are many proven ways to treat purulent sore throat with homemade products and plants.
Chamomile and calendula decoction. To prepare the medicine, you will need to pour 2 tbsp into a small saucepan. l. herbs, pour 1 liter of boiling water over it and simmer the mixture over low heat for half an hour. The infusion cools for 2–3 hours, after which you need to start gargling.
Kalanchoe and aloe. Plants have anti-inflammatory properties. For the medicine you will need their leaves, which are more than three years old. The greens are crushed and squeezed, and the resulting juice is diluted with 1 glass of water. This natural product relieves swelling.
Treatment at the ENT Clinic of Doctor Zaitsev
Many years of experience of our doctors allows us to say with confidence that treating chronic tonsillitis is our specialty. The modern equipment of the clinic allows for effective and safe manipulations to treat tonsillitis and remove purulent plugs. Washing of the tonsils is carried out using all methods known in practice, including using a modified TONSILLOR nozzle, which has no analogues in other medical institutions. This is the know-how of our clinic. The modified attachment is much more effective than the usual one, completely safe, its use does not cause pain to the patient and is suitable even for small children.
Please make an appointment and come. We will be happy to help you.
