Main
- Angina is an acute infectious inflammation of the palatine tonsils, more often bacterial, less often viral.
- Angina can be suspected by severe sore throat, fever, plaque on the tonsils and enlarged lymph nodes.
- Diagnosis and treatment are handled by an ENT doctor, a physician or a paediatrician for a child.
- Examination includes inspection of the throat, palpation of the lymph nodes, a throat swab and a complete blood count.
- If there is difficulty breathing, inability to swallow or drooling, immediate help is needed.
What is tonsillitis
Angina is an acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils, which is most often caused by infections. In this section, we will look at what happens in the body, why the disease develops and who encounters it more often.
What happens in the body
The palatine tonsils are accumulations of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the entrance to the pharynx. They are the first to come into contact with inhaled air and the microorganisms entering it. Upon infection, viruses or bacteria penetrate the tissue of the tonsils and begin to multiply there. In response, inflammation occurs: the tissue swells, reddens and becomes painful when swallowing. The body responds to the invasion with a general reaction — the temperature rises, weakness and aching in the body appear. The sore throat intensifies when swallowing, so it becomes difficult for a person to eat and drink. If the cause of the inflammation is not identified in time, it can spread to neighbouring areas.
Why it develops
- Viral infections: most cases are associated with viruses that enter the pharynx and trigger an inflammatory response in the tonsils.
- Bacterial infections: streptococcal pathogens penetrate the tissue of the tonsils and cause more pronounced purulent inflammation.
- Contact with a sick person: pathogens are transmitted by airborne droplets when a nearby person talks, coughs or sneezes.
- Contaminated objects: the infection can be transmitted through dishes, towels and other items used by the sick person.
- Hypothermia: prolonged exposure to cold weakens the local defence of the pharynx and creates conditions for the multiplication of microbes.
- Reduced defences of the body: with a weakened immune system, it is harder for the body to resist pathogens, so the risk of getting sick increases noticeably.
Who encounters it more often
Angina occurs in people of different ages, but children and young adults are most often susceptible to it. This is because their immune system is still developing or is actively in contact with a large number of new pathogens. Children attend schools and kindergartens, where the infection spreads easily in a close group. Adults who work with people also encounter pathogens more often through constant contacts. Seasonality plays a noticeable role: in the cold season, people spend more time indoors, where the air circulates less well. A decrease in defences after exertion or lack of sleep increases susceptibility to infection. If a person often suffers from inflammation of the tonsils, they should discuss with a doctor the possible causes of frequent exacerbations.
What symptoms can there be?
Angina (tonsillitis) manifests acutely, and it is important to distinguish its signs from an ordinary cold. Understanding the symptoms helps to seek medical help in time.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
Angina usually begins with a sharp sore throat, which noticeably intensifies when swallowing and makes it difficult to eat. A person may feel chills and general malaise, similar to severe fatigue after a hard day. Body temperature rises, sometimes significantly, and usual activities require noticeable effort. The tonsils look reddened, and a coating or purulent plugs may appear on them, visible on examination. The cervical lymph nodes enlarge and become painful when palpated. These signs are often attributed to overwork or the onset of a cold, postponing a visit to the doctor. If the sore throat does not subside and intensifies when swallowing, it is worth booking an appointment in the near future.
Signs that occur most often
- Sore throat: intensifies when swallowing and makes it difficult to eat, drink and talk without discomfort.
- Rise in body temperature: often accompanied by chills and a feeling of heat, indicating an active inflammatory process.
- Enlarged lymph nodes: the cervical nodes become larger and painful when palpated, which indicates the body's reaction.
- Coating on the tonsils: purulent plugs or a greyish coating appear, which are visible on examination of the throat.
- Headache and aching: unpleasant sensations in the muscles and joints complete the picture and intensify the general malaise.
- Loss of appetite and weakness: a person tires quickly, refuses food, which makes it difficult to recover strength.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Examination for tonsillitis begins with an examination of the throat and tonsils, as well as palpation of the cervical lymph nodes. Additional tests help to identify the causative agent and assess the general condition.
How the examination begins
Examination of the throat and tonsils allows the doctor to see the coating, redness and swelling, and to assess the symmetry of the involvement. Palpation of the cervical lymph nodes shows their size, tenderness and mobility, which reflects the body's response to inflammation. The doctor takes the complaints and medical history, clarifying how long ago the sore throat, fever and difficulty swallowing appeared. A throat swab is taken to identify the causative agent in order to distinguish a bacterial cause from a viral one. A complete blood count shows signs of inflammation: the white blood cell count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This information helps the doctor understand the cause of the condition and choose further management. If the symptoms are pronounced and the examination does not give a complete picture, the listed tests are carried out first.
What is prescribed and what it shows
What is worth preparing for the appointment
- Discharge summaries from previous visits: they show how similar conditions progressed before and help the doctor assess the dynamics.
- Results of recent tests: if you have had blood tests or swabs recently, bring them with you for comparison.
- List of medications you take: list everything you take regularly so that the doctor can take this into account during the examination.
- Notes on temperature and symptoms: note when the sore throat appeared and how the temperature and how you felt changed.
- Questions you want to ask: formulate them in advance so that you do not forget anything during the conversation with the doctor.
Which doctor should I see?
The choice of doctor for tonsillitis depends on the patient's age and the severity of the condition. Below — who manages this condition, what the care consists of, and what remains on the patient's side.
Which specialist manages this condition
Tonsillitis in adults is managed by an ENT doctor, and when one is not available nearby, care is provided by a physician. In children, this condition is managed by a paediatrician, who assesses the child's throat and general well-being. The ENT doctor examines the pharynx, tonsils and lymph nodes to distinguish viral inflammation from bacterial. The physician, in turn, looks at the temperature, complaints of pain when swallowing and the person's general condition. The paediatrician additionally clarifies how the child drinks, sleeps and copes with a high temperature. If a specialist is not available nearby, one can start with a physician or paediatrician at the place of residence. Such a doctor will, if necessary, refer to an ENT doctor, so the visit will not be wasted.
What the treatment consists of
- Selection of therapy by the doctor: the specialist determines what caused the inflammation, and on this basis chooses the direction of care.
- Plenty of fluids: a warm liquid soothes the throat and helps to cope with the temperature, so one should drink often and in small amounts.
- Bed rest: while the temperature and weakness persist, it is better to remove the workload so that the body spends its strength on recovery.
- Gargling: the solution is selected by the doctor, and the procedure is carried out regularly, because a single gargle does not give noticeable relief.
- Antipyretics: they are used as prescribed by the doctor, when the temperature is hard to tolerate or rises too high.
What depends on the patient themselves
Regular follow-up with the doctor noticeably affects how recovery after tonsillitis proceeds. If a person interrupts care at the first improvements, the inflammation may return and drag on for a longer period. The doctor assesses the condition over time, so a repeat examination helps to notice in time that the chosen direction is not suitable. Following the drinking regimen and bed rest at home speeds up relief and reduces the load on the body. Gargling prescribed by the specialist gives an effect only when performed regularly, and not from time to time. Antipyretics should be taken as recommended by the doctor, and not at one's own discretion. A calm conversation with the doctor about complaints and their changes helps to adjust care more precisely. Therefore, it is worth clarifying in advance when to come for a repeat appointment and which signs to pay attention to at home.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
The risk of a repeat flare-up of tonsillitis largely depends on a person's own everyday decisions. Below is what habits are worth reviewing, what to keep an eye on, and why regular visits to a doctor matter.
What to change in your habits
Frequent handwashing noticeably lowers the chance of catching an infection, because dirty hands carry pathogens to the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. During cold season it is sensible to avoid close contact with those who are already ill and not to use someone else's dishes or towel. Hardening and strengthening the immune system help the body resist colds, and therefore give the throat less opportunity to become inflamed. If a person does feel unwell, it is better to stay at home and not to carry on with the illness on their feet. Timely treatment of diseases of the nose and throat prevents the infection from lingering and spreading further. Chronic nasal congestion or an incompletely treated inflammation gradually weakens local defences, and the flare-up returns again. That is why it is worth agreeing with loved ones in advance that at the first signs of feeling unwell you stay at home and see a doctor.
What to keep under control
- Hand hygiene: washing with soap after being outdoors and before eating removes pathogens that would otherwise reach the mucous membranes.
- Contact with sick people: reducing close contact during cold season lowers the chance of catching an infection by airborne droplets.
- The condition of the nose and throat: nasal congestion or inflammation treated in time leaves no focus from which the illness returns.
- General wellbeing: fatigue, lack of sleep and getting chilled weaken defences, and then flare-ups happen more often.
- Hardening: gradual procedures accustom the body to temperature changes and help it cope more easily with cold season.
How often to see a doctor
A regular check-up with a doctor is needed even when you feel quite well. The specialist assesses the condition of the nose and throat, notices low-grade inflammation and gives advice on lifestyle. With frequent flare-ups, visits become more frequent, because it is important to understand what exactly is keeping the illness going. If a person carries on with a cold on their feet, they risk developing a complication and returning to the doctor with a more serious picture. A planned appointment allows habits to be adjusted in time and the situation not to be brought to another episode. Many people put off the visit until things become really bad, and in doing so lose time. That is why it is sensible to agree with the doctor on a clear follow-up schedule and to stick to it, even when nothing is bothering you.
What is worth remembering
Sore throat (tonsillitis) is a condition where it is not so much the name itself that matters as seeking help in good time. Below are several conclusions that help distinguish reasonable caution from dangerous extremes.
Key conclusions
Tonsillitis does not always look like a "bad cold", so underestimating it is dangerous. A sore throat with tonsillitis is often accompanied by a high temperature and marked weakness, which is why a person stays at home for a long time. If tonsillitis is treated on one's own, without examination by a doctor, one can miss the moment when the process spreads beyond the pharynx. Tonsillitis is dangerous not only during the acute period, but also because of possible complications affecting the heart and kidneys. That is precisely why, with tonsillitis, it is important to see a specialist as early as possible rather than wait until one feels better. Tonsillitis requires careful attention to one's condition even after one's well-being improves. One should not return to usual activities as soon as the temperature has come down: the body needs time to recover. It is more sensible to rely on the doctor's recommendations rather than on advice from the internet or the experience of acquaintances.
