Tonsillitis causes and diagnosis

The term “tonsillitis” refers to a disease in which inflammatory processes develop in the area of the palatal tonsils (tonsilla palatina). Tonsillitis can be observed in any age group. However, children are much more prone to develop inflammatory processes in the area of the palatine tonsils.

Furthermore, the ambient temperature does not seem to have any influence on the frequency of the development of tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is a highly contagious disease that usually requires antibiotic treatment. Based on the course of the disease, tonsillitis can be divided into two different forms.

While the inflammatory processes in so-called acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis acuta) manifest themselves within a short period of time, patients with chronic tonsillitis (tonsillitis chronica) suffer from constantly recurring (recurrent) symptoms. In addition, tonsillitis can be further subdivided according to typical clinical aspects. Patients suffering from catarrhal tonsillitis angina show severe redness and swelling of the palatal tonsils. The follicular angina is characterized by spotty, purulent coatings on the surface of the tonsils. In the lacunar tonsillitis form, on the other hand, severe redness and even extensive, confluent purulent coatings can be found in the area of the palatal tonsils.

Causes

The main cause of tonsillitis is an infection with viral or bacterial pathogens. It is generally assumed that childhood tonsillitis is mostly a viral infection. Tonsillitis in adults, on the other hand, seems to be much more often caused by bacteria.

The most common bacterial pathogens that lead to the development of tonsillitis are so-called beta-hemolytic streptococci (Strep-A), pneumococci, staphylococci and Haemophilus influenza. Due to the fact that many of these potential triggers are part of the normal bacterial colonization of the oral cavity, the exact mechanisms of development of tonsillitis cannot be understood in detail. Above all, a weakening of the general condition of the organism seems to favor the reproduction of the relevant bacteria.

For this reason, many patients suffer from general cold symptoms (cough, rhinitis, fever) in addition to tonsillitis. Furthermore, the psyche also seems to have a certain influence on the probability of developing tonsillitis. People who suffer from severe mental strain and/or stress have a much higher risk of developing tonsillitis.

The reason for this is the fact that stress has an increasing influence on the release of the body’s own hormone cortisol. This hormone, in turn, is capable of weakening the immune system in the long term and increasing the likelihood of developing infections. Furthermore, people suffering from AIDS or other immunosuppressive diseases also have a significantly increased risk of tonsillitis.

Since the palatine tonsils as such are part of the immune system (lymphatic organs), there is a high colonization of germs, especially in children. For this reason, many children suffer several times a year from purulent inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsillitis is a highly contagious disease.

The causative germs are transmitted by droplet infection, i.e. when coughing or sneezing. Transmission is also possible through direct contact with contaminated objects (for example, after touching a door handle). People suffering from tonsillitis are therefore recommended to always keep their hand in front of their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

In addition, washing and disinfecting the hands should be more important to protect the immediate surroundings. It is not clear for how long a person suffering from tonsillitis is a potential carrier of the relevant pathogens. It can, however, be assumed that even under antibiotic therapy, those affected will still be at risk of infection over a period of one to two days. Viral forms of tonsillitis are usually highly infectious over a much longer period of time. For this reason, affected patients are advised to pay particular attention to careful hygiene until the symptoms subside.