Tonsillitis Symptoms and Causes. Treatments. Surgery.

Tonsillitis can result in complications

If left untreated, tonsillitis may lead to complications such as: ( 9).

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea affects 2 to 5 percent adults. It occurs when the upper respiratory tract collapses or fails to stay open repeatedly during sleep. This interruption can lead to poor sleep quality and fatigue throughout the day. According to a study, it’s also linked with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Sleep apnea can be caused due to enlarged tonsils, which prevents optimal breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea can be caused by a recurrent tonsillitis, or an inflammation of the tonsils that persists.

During an infection, swollen tonsils may cause a temporary sleep disorder. This complication can affect both children and adults. Children with sleep apnea may need a tonsillectomy to prevent it from becoming chronic and deadly.

Otitis Media

A third complication of tonsil infections is middle ear infection. The Waldeyer tonsillar band is a group of lymphoid tissues that are visible when you open your lips. This ring contains four tonsils: the palatine (adenoid), tubal (lingual), and adenoid tonsils. This tissue grows in size when we get tonsillitis.

The Eustachian Tube is the only opening of the middle ear cavity, which is sealed. The adenoid, or upper part of the tonsils, is located next to the Eustachian Tube. A swollen adenoid can block the Eustachian tubes, which causes pressure to build in the ear. A fluid or pus effusion in the ear may lead to otitis or middle ear infection.

Quinsy (Peritonsillar Abscess)

If they don’t go away, tonsillitis or strep throat can develop into tonsillar cellsulitis. In some cases, tonsillar cellstitis can lead to peritonsillar abscess. This abscess can cause severe pain due to the compression of the airway.

Peritonsillar abscess symptoms include fever, lockjaw, and throat pain. Asymmetry is usually only present on one side, which is why doctors look for it. To help with the infection, doctors drain it.

Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever can be caused by bacteria from strep throat that enters the bloodstream. This inflammatory disorder is most common in children between 6 and 16. This inflammatory disorder can damage the heart, joints and other tissues permanently. Some of the symptoms include a sore throat, fever and swollen or enlarged tonsils.

You can be affected for the rest your life by heart valve damage caused by rheumatic disease. You will need antibiotics after any surgery that involves a high risk of infection. This step is taken to prevent bacteria growing in the damaged valve of the heart, which can cause further damage.

Kidney Complications

Post-streptococcal kidney inflammation can be caused by a strep throat infection. After recovering from strep, it is more common in children than adults. The disorder affects kidney function.

Most patients recover from PSGN within a couple of weeks, without additional or long-lasting complications. In very rare cases, kidney failure or long-term damage can occur.

Scarlet fever

This is a rare but serious complication. Scarlet fever is caused by a toxin produced by group A Streptococci. It causes a brightly red rash with raised, slightly raised areas, similar to sandpaper. It usually starts in the groins and armpits. Children with scarlet fever usually return to school after starting antibiotics one or two days.

Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but very serious complication that can occur as a result of tonsillitis. It can lead to organ failure and blood pressure drop in 30-60% cases.

Jugular Vein Thrombosis

The jugular (which drains blood away from the head and neck) can be affected by a tonsil infection. This condition is more common in young adults. Blood clots can also cause inflammation in the jugular, which is caused by a blood clot. Symptoms include a high fever, neck pain and breathing problems. Sometimes, a septic emboboli will break off and spread into other areas of the body. This can cause more complications.

PANDAS

PANDAS, also known as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disease caused by Streptococcus Group A, is a disorder that affects children. There is disagreement among doctors about whether this condition exists. Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders may develop this condition after a Group A Streptococcal Infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis

This is a severe complication caused by group A streptococcus. This aggressive infection causes soft tissue to die. The infected, dead tissue is usually surgically removed and strong antibiotics are administered directly into bloodstream.

Cancer

Even though tonsillitis and Cancer are not related, they can sometimes share similar symptoms. If you have a chronic sore throat or tonsillitis, it could be cancer.

It is rare to see tonsillitis in adults. So, when it does occur, it could be something else masquerading itself as tonsillitis. Doctors should ensure that the symptoms are improving in a middle-aged male with tonsillitis, or recurrent lotsillitis to rule out underlying problems such as tonsil or throat cancer.

It’s important to check for more serious complications if tonsillitis symptoms do not subside or infections continue to recur.