Angina tonsillaris should not be confused with the symptom of tonsillitis, even though this is present in angina. Angina tonsillaris should also be distinguished from angina pectoris, which appears to be related in name only. Other terms include tonsillitis acuta, acute tonsillitis, or simply angina.
What is angina tonsillaris?
Sore and scratchy throats usually occur as part of a cold or angina tonsillaris. However, tonsillitis may also be a possibility. Angina tonsillaris is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils. It mainly affects school children, very rarely infants. The problem is that angina tonsillaris (called angina for short) can be very painful. Every swallowing movement causes discomfort and it is difficult to take in food. This can lead to weight loss and physical fatigue. Without professional treatment, the disease spreads rapidly. In addition, there is then a fever and often the patient feels so ill that a drop in performance, e.g. at school, is the result. This is because talking is also difficult, and if the angina tonsillaris spreads to the vocal cords, the voice is sometimes completely absent. Participation in school lessons is then no longer possible and bed rest is advisable in the case of angina tonsillaris with
High fever makes sense.
Causes
The cause of angina tonsillaris is mainly bacteria, namely streptococci. These bacteria are found on the skin and in the intestines. They are involved in many infections. It is necessary to distinguish the ability of these bacteria to decompose blood (alpha, beta and gamma hemolysis). Infection is particularly easy where many people meet. As soon as a person coughs, a large number of bacteria buzz through the air and are passed on from person to person. It is also easy to become infected via handles, for example in buses and trains, as the bacteria are more prevalent and resistant there. A healthy person with sufficient immune defenses is usually not exposed or infected. However, if the immune defenses are weakened by factors such as too little sleep and too much negative stress, the bacteria have an easy time and angina tonsillaris spreads rapidly. In chronic angina tonsillaris, there is usually a mixed infection, that is, both anaerobic and aerobic pathogens. The swelling of the tonsils is also caused by these pathogens. Draught in train or bus can also weaken the immune defense so much that infection becomes easy.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms of the acute and chronic forms of angina tonsillaris differ from each other. For example, acute tonsillitis is characterized by increasing pain in the throat. When swallowing, yawning, and otherwise opening the mouth, the pain may radiate to the ears. In addition, there is often also high fever, headache and fatigue. The voice is occupied and there is increased salivation. Examination of the tonsils reveals that they are red, swollen, and often ulcerated. If acute angina tonsillaris is not treated, the ever-increasing swelling of the tonsils can lead to shortness of breath. Children in particular suffer from this because their tonsils are already enlarged in a healthy state. After one to two weeks, acute tonsillitis usually heals without consequences. After frequent tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis can develop. In this case, mild swallowing difficulties usually occur. A persistent unpleasant mouth odor is typical. Often the throat lymph nodes are permanently swollen. However, this swelling does not cause pain. Many affected persons suffer from a reduced ability to perform and concentrate. In addition, dead tissue (detritus) is discovered on the tonsils, which causes the unpleasant bad breath through decomposition. Angina tonsillaris can also lead to complications such as rheumatic fever, myocarditis, joint inflammation, exanthema of the skin, kidney inflammation or even sepsis.
Course
The course of angina tonsillaris often begins with harmless difficulty swallowing. The infected person then notices that both drinking and eating cause discomfort. Often, the intake of food is then reduced, which means an additional weakening of the immune defenses. The palatine tonsils quickly swell and high fever is added, leaving the patient feeling tired and weary.If the tonsils are ulcerated, strong bad breath is added. The lymph nodes swell. This causes additional pain. Since the disease is contagious, the infected person should not get too close to others. Otherwise, there is a fear that other members of the family or school class will become infected and keep re-infecting and infecting each other.
Complications
As a complication of tonsillitis, an abscess may form in the area of the tonsils or the back of the throat. This causes swelling in which pus accumulates. Pain and fever indicate the development of an abscess. In rare cases, the pathogens causing angina tonsillaris can be carried throughout the body via the bloodstream, thus triggering sepsis. This complication is manifested by high fever and a marked deterioration in general condition. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Other possible sequelae of tonsillitis are caused by the pathogens attacking the heart. Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis) or the pericardium (pericarditis) occurs. Possible consequences can be cardiac insufficiency or cardiac arrhythmias. Up to three weeks after tonsillitis, acute rheumatic fever may occur, especially in children and adolescents. It is a systemic disease with involvement of joints, skin, heart and brain. Inflammation occurs at the heart and joints. Rheumatoid nodules appear on the skin. The involvement of the brain causes uncontrollable movements. The pathogens of tonsillitis can cause glomerulonephritis. This inflammation of the renal corpuscles is manifested by decreased urine output, edema, and increased blood pressure, among other symptoms.
When should you see a doctor?
Angina tonsillaris, or tonsillitis, is a condition that often occurs in conjunction with various upper respiratory tract infections and usually has a good prognosis even without medical treatment. Often, as with the classic cold and other cold symptoms, simply resting and drinking enough fluids, as well as the familiar home remedies, help to get well again. A visit to the doctor is therefore usually not necessary for either adults or children with angina tonsillaris, which progresses without complications. A visit to the doctor is only advisable if the angina tonsillaris does not recede after a few days. The same applies if the tonsillitis is associated with severe pain, which, for example, causes a child to consistently refuse to eat. High fever, accompanying severe headache or a strong cough are also reasons for a visit to the doctor to have a possible flu, bronchitis or pneumonia diagnosed and treated early because of the somewhat less favorable prognosis. Actually, tonsils have a barrier function as they protect the lower respiratory tract from pathogens. Sometimes, however, the tonsils are severely fissured by recurrent inflammation and are then no longer able to perform their natural defense function. On the contrary, they are often the starting point for bacteria and viruses, which can lead to chronic inflammation. Again, a visit to the doctor is advisable to discuss the possible removal of the tonsils.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment is a precise clarification by the doctor whether it is an acute angina tonsillaris or an advanced angina tonsillaris with
Purulent palatine tonsils and a very high fever. For this purpose, the doctor takes a throat swab to determine the number of Steptococcus
to determine the number of steptococci. Further treatment is based on this. If the streptococcus count is low, a simple throat spray or throat lozenges is sufficient to relieve the symptoms. Throat rinses for gargling are also
are useful. Cold and moist throat compresses also help with both the sore throat and the fever. If angina tonsillaris is advanced, then it may be necessary to take antibiotics and maintain strict bed rest to allow the body to regenerate. When antibiotics are given, be aware that they can have side effects. These include diarrhea, which can be remedied by a sparing diet. If possible, the person infected with angina tonsillaris should not eat fatty foods. Light meals with rice and vegetables and sufficient fluid intake allow the patient to recover quickly.
Aftercare
In most cases, the options for aftercare are very limited in angina tonsillaris. The patient is primarily dependent on medical treatment, as there is no self-healing in this disease and the options for self-help are also very limited. However, life expectancy is not reduced by angina tonsillaris. Angina tonsillaris is usually treated with the help of antibiotics. Affected persons should pay attention to regular intake of the medication and also possible interactions with other drugs. Alcohol should also be avoided when taking antibiotics, as this weakens the effect of the antibiotics. In the case of children, it is above all the parents who must ensure that the medication is taken correctly and regularly. To counteract the diarrhea, those affected should drink a lot of fluids and take care of the stomach. Only light food is recommended during angina tonsillaris. After the disease has healed, the stomach can be reintroduced to the usual food. In most cases, this results in a positive course of the disease.
Outlook and prognosis
Angina tonsillaris is a common disease that can vary in severity. It usually progresses without complications and, with proper treatment, heals completely within a short time: After the administration of antibiotics, the healing process still takes about two weeks. Only in rare cases do the inflamed palatine tonsils swell so much that they obstruct breathing. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to see a doctor again. In order not to hinder healing, attention should be paid to sufficient fluid intake (preferably in the form of water and unsweetened tea) and soft food. Throat compresses and lozenges can also relieve existing symptoms such as sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Acute tonsillitis can also turn into a chronic form. In this case, most of the symptoms recede. Only the lymph nodes remain swollen. In addition, many sufferers experience a mild, persistent feeling of malaise. Chronic tonsillitis can also have a negative effect on other organs: pus can accumulate in the throat area, kidney and heart damage can occur, and joints can become inflamed. In some cases, removal of the tonsils is therefore advisable. This surgical procedure is not problematic in adulthood.
What you can do yourself
Angina tonsillaris with its inflamed palatine tonsils should always be treated by doctors. In the course of medical treatment, a throat swab can be used to test for bacteria to determine whether the inflammation is bacterial or viral. Complete bed rest is recommended to promote recovery from angina tonsillaris. Although swallowing often causes pain, sufferers should consume sufficient fluids. Lozenges and mouthwashes can be used to reduce pain and promote healing. Numerous home remedies have proven effective for angina tonsillaris. Envelopes with curd cheese or mixed healing clay are particularly frequently used, as these have an anti-inflammatory effect. One’s own well-being should determine whether the compresses should be applied cold or warm. A cold poultice stimulates the mucous membrane and thus provides relief from the symptoms. A warm compress, on the other hand, has a warming effect and promotes blood circulation. Another proven remedy is a fresh ginger tea with honey and lemon. If angina tonsillaris is accompanied by high fever, calf compresses are recommended. Consumption of cold drinks or ice can relieve the discomfort of swallowing. Since smoking can worsen the symptoms, active smoking should be avoided during the inflammation.
