Tonsillitis

 Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small glands found at the back of the throat behind the tongue. Tonsillitis can be caused by either a virus or bacteria, although most cases are viral.

 The viruses that cause tonsillitis are often the ones that frequently affect the respiratory (breathing) system.

 Bacterial tonsillitis may be caused by a number of different bacteria, but is usually caused by streptococcus bacteria.  

 Whether your tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacteria, it is likely that your immune system will clear the infection within a few days. In the meantime, there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself or your child.

Make sure you have plenty to eat and drink, even if you find it painful to swallow. Being hungry and dehydrated can make other symptoms, such as headaches and tiredness, worse.

Treatments, such as painkillers and antibiotics (in cases of bacterial tonsillitis), may help to ease your symptoms. If your symptoms are particularly severe and you have recurring bouts of tonsillitis, surgery may be an option

Spread of Tonsillistis

Tonsillitis can be spread from person to person through hand contact (then touching your mouth with contaminated hands), breathing in the airborne droplets after someone with tonsillitis has sneezed or sharing the utensils or toothbrush of an infected person.

 The incubation period (the time between picking up the infection and symptoms starting to appear) is usually two to four days.

Symptoms

The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat.

 Other common symptoms include:

red and swollen tonsils,

pain when swallowing,

high temperature (fever) over 38°C (100.4°F),

coughing,

headache,

tiredness,

pain in your ears or neck,

white pus-filled spots on your tonsils, and

swollen lymph nodes (glands) in your neck.

 Less common symptoms of tonsillitis may include:

vomiting,

constipation,

a 'furry' tongue,

bad breath, and

difficulty opening your mouth.

Younger children may also complain of a stomach ache, which can be caused by the swelling of the lymph

 Treatment

Tonsillitis often clears up on its own without the need for treatment, but in severe or recurring cases the tonsils may be removed in a common procedure called a tonsillectomy. Sometimes, if tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be prescribed.

 At Groombridge Pre-school, because children of this age play very close together with frequent physical contact and put the toys in their mouths, our policy is that staff or children with tonsillitis must stay away from pre-school until they are completely well again.

This policy is known, agreed and implemented by all staff.

 This policy is known and made available to all parents.