Tonsils in Children

Tonsils in Children
Friends of Hermina, of course we are not foreign to the term tonsil. The tonsils are lumps of tissue on either side of the back of the throat that help the immune system protect the body from infection. When the tonsils become infected, the condition is known as tonsillitis. However, Indonesians more often refer to it as tonsils. Infected tonsils are characterized by red, swollen, and sore throat.

Tonsils are vulnerable to attack children and adolescents aged 5-15 years. Hermina's friends don't need to panic when they find their child's tonsils are inflamed.

Tonsillitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Several viruses that cause tonsillitis, namely the flu virus, adenovirus, and the Epstein-Barr virus. While bacteria are often a common cause of tonsillitis and the bacteria that most often attacks are group A streptococci.

Common symptoms experienced by your child when experiencing tonsillitis include:

• Swollen or red tonsils
• White or yellow coating or patches appear on the tonsils
• Sore throat
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Fever
• Cough
• Bad breath
• Sleep snoring or snoring
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Headache
• Earache

How to treat tonsils itself depends on the cause. Tonsillitis caused by a virus usually goes away on its own within a few days. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your child may need to get a prescription for antibiotics from a doctor. After being given antibiotics, tonsillitis usually subsides in two or three days.

However, make sure that the dose of antibiotics your child is taking is correct and spent even though the symptoms have completely disappeared. The goal is that these bacteria do not become resistant to drugs.

In addition, there are several other things that can help relieve tonsillitis in children, such as:

• Enough rest
• Drink enough water to prevent dehydration
• Consume sore throat relief drinks, such as tea or warm water mixed with honey
• Consume throat lozenges. Children aged 4 years can already eat this candy
• Use a humidifier to avoid dry air which can worsen irritation of the throat
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
• Take paracetamol to relieve fever and pain. However, make sure to discuss with your doctor first regarding its use

When your child has repeated infections, the pediatrician may recommend tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common and safe surgeries performed on children today. It usually only takes 20 minutes and the child can go home a few hours after the operation.

There are several ways to prevent tonsillitis in children, namely:

• Set a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoid snacks or foods that contain added sugar and excess salt and fried foods
• Avoid cold foods and drinks such as ice cream, foods that contain preservatives and flavorings and various other unhealthy foods
• Eat lots of boiled vegetables and fresh fruits
• Enough rest
• Keep the house clean to reduce the possibility of dust entering the mouth and throat
• Drink lots of water and fruit juices such as orange juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, but try not to drink it cold because drinking too cold water/juice can cause swollen tonsils.
• Compress the neck with warm water regularly while suffering from tonsillitis
• Gargle with warm salt water 3 times a day

If your little one experiences the symptoms described above, immediately consult an ENT specialist at RSIA HERMINA Mutiara Bunda Salatiga to get treatment according to the little one's condition.

Registration can be via:

Call our canter at number: 1500488, Via Mobile app: Hallo Hermina or web at the following link: https://herminahospitals.com/doctors/dr-zahroh-zuliana-azizah-sp-tht-kl/appointments/new