PJB Health Talk: Kissing can actually cause an infection known as tonsillitis

Back to the matter, I know we all remember when OAP Moet Abebe bamboozled us with this big grammar- Tonsillitis. Well, today we’re sharing the meaning and all that you need to know. Let’s go and unravel this “mystery”!

Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of these tonsils as a result of bacterial or viral infections. In simpler parlance Tonsillitis means sore throat or painful throat. Tonsils refer to bulky and fleshy pair of tissues close to the anterior of the throat.  An infected person feels pain particularly when swallowing.

Causes of Tonsillitis

·        When you put DIRTY things in your mouth like fruits not properly washed

·        Inhaling impure air like fumes, dust

What are the indications of Tonsillitis?

·        Swollen and blood shot throat

·        Difficulty in swallowing

·        Fever that may be on the high side

·        Felling unwell

·        Headache and earache

·        Ulceration of the tonsils with discharge of pus

·        Hoarse voice

·        Enlargement of lymph nodes in the front of the neck

·        Children may lose weight for not eating following the fear of pains while swallowing

How to combat Tonsillitis?

1.      Wash fruits, fingers and EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth thoroughly

2.      Warm salt water gargle about four times daily for three days when infected

3.      Mouth washes / mouth gargle can be soothing

4.      Resting of the voice

5.      Drug treatment (septrin, amoxil)

6.      See your doctor (for surgery) when it becomes recurrent or chronic.

It is important to note that Tonsillitis does not give prior warning before it strikes. It means that you can wake up one morning and discover your Tonsils have been infected. Also, for mild cases of  Tonsillitis, the victim may be relieved within 2-3 days of infection.

Courtesy Olatunde, Folasewa Oluwaseun