How is suppurative tonsillitis caused?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The acute onset of suppurative tonsillitis is commonly due to a weakened immune system, which then leads to bacterial infection and thus suppurative tonsillitis. For example, getting chilled or getting caught in the rain, or having a persistent cold. Other common causes include irritation from smoking and alcohol environments, spicy foods, and staying up late. Also, if there is some chronic inflammation in the tonsils, these adverse stimuli make it easier to trigger this type of suppurative inflammation. Therefore, in addition to maintaining a normal routine in daily life, it is also important to check for the presence of chronic tonsillitis. If chronic tonsillitis is present, it's crucial to choose a proper opportunity for surgical treatment, which means performing surgery when it is not in an acute phase, to prevent the recurrence of suppurative inflammation.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What medicine is used for suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis is clinically mainly due to infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, and other bacteria. It is an acute and severe infection of tonsillitis, and the primary clinical treatment is the use of antibiotics. For example, antibiotics that are administered orally or intravenously, mainly cephalosporin antibiotics are used. If allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics are used for treatment. Additionally, some Chinese patent medicines that clear heat and detoxify can also be used as adjunctive therapy, such as Ban Lan Gen oral liquid and Yi Qing capsules. The throat can also be treated with some washes; for example, hydrogen peroxide gargle or some commercially available mouthwash can be used for gargling, etc. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional doctor, do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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What bacteria cause suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis primarily refers to an acute purulent inflammation of the tonsils, often accompanied by varying degrees of mucosal lymphatic tissue inflammation. The primary bacterium responsible for this condition is Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, although non-hemolytic Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, as well as adenovirus, rhinovirus, and simplex herpes virus can also cause purulent tonsillopharyngitis. Mixed bacterial and viral infections are not uncommon, and in recent years, there has been an increase in yeast and Gram-negative bacilli infections. The pathogens of acute purulent tonsillitis can be transmitted via droplets or direct contact. Normally, some pathogens reside in the crypts of the pharynx and tonsils of healthy individuals. When the body's resistance is lowered, the pathogens proliferate extensively, and their toxins damage the crypt epithelium, allowing bacteria to invade the tissue and cause purulent changes. Factors such as exposure to cold, dampness, excessive fatigue, excessive smoking and drinking, and exposure to harmful gases can provoke this disease. Avoiding spicy and irritating foods, gargling with salt water, and maintaining oral hygiene are measures that can prevent or mitigate the occurrence of this condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Which department should I go to for suppurative tonsillitis?

Suppurative tonsillitis is a common disease of the pharyngeal region. Therefore, the first clinical department to consult for suppurative tonsillitis is the otolaryngology department, or the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department in some hospitals. In certain specialist hospitals, such as children's hospitals, there are pediatric otolaryngology departments. For some pediatric patients, they may initially visit the pediatrics department, and some pediatricians can also treat suppurative tonsillitis. For adults, some patients may also visit the respiratory medicine department, since the pharynx is part of the upper respiratory tract, and the department of respiratory medicine also provides relevant treatment. However, fundamentally, suppurative tonsillitis should be treated in the otolaryngology department.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is suppurative tonsillitis uncomfortable?

Suppurative tonsillitis is an acute infection of the tonsils, which is relatively severe and involves purulent changes in the tonsils. Clinically, patients experience severe throat pain, which worsens during swallowing and may even lead to difficulty in eating. Patients may also experience symptoms such as chills and fever. Therefore, suppurative tonsillitis is very distressing, and we need to actively manage it. Generally, we conduct a blood test to check the routine blood parameters and observe the level of white blood cell infection, that is, the white blood cell count. Then, we administer intravenous infusions of antibiotics for treatment.

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Written by Du Jun
Otolaryngology
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What does suppurative tonsillitis look like?

Purulent tonsillitis refers to the acute purulent inflammation of the tonsils, which include the palatine tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils, and tubal tonsils. This text specifically refers to the palatine tonsils. The main cause is bacterial infection, with bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. On examination, purulent tonsillitis can be identified by enlarged tonsils with pus points on the surface. Patients may experience throat pain, fever, and sometimes accompanying symptoms such as cough and a foreign body sensation in the throat. The treatment of acute suppurative tonsillitis primarily involves penicillin and second-generation cephalosporins, and timely and effective treatment can lead to significant relief of symptoms.