Prolonged tonsillitis forms white, lumpy, foul-smelling pus masses, called purulent tonsillitis.
The article was professionally consulted by Master, Doctor, Specialist II Tran Thi Thuy Hang, Head of the ENT Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tonsils are two pink masses located between the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. They play a role in preventing the invasion of bacteria and viruses and producing immunity for the body.
Tonsils are the first barrier, so this part is often exposed to bacteria, viruses... When continuously attacked by harmful agents, tonsils become weakened, swollen, leading to tonsillitis. This condition, if prolonged, can cause purulent tonsillitis.
Reason
Bacteria and viruses are the leading causes of tonsil abscesses.
Polluted living environment, unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, unscientific diet, drinking alcohol, and poor oral hygiene also increase the risk of disease.
Symptom
- Sore throat.
- Dry cough or cough with phlegm.
- Red and swollen tonsils.
- White discharge around the tonsils.
- Bad breath.
- Tired.
- High fever.
- Difficulty eating and communicating.
Complications
Tonsillitis with pus not treated properly and promptly can cause a number of dangerous complications.
Patients may experience local complications. The infection spreads after 5-7 days, with abscesses appearing, causing fatigue, sore throat, high fever, severe cough, and difficulty swallowing.
Complications in surrounding areas occur when tonsillitis spreads to nearby organs such as the ears, nose, and throat, causing respiratory diseases such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, and laryngotracheitis; spreading down the throat into the lungs causes bronchitis and pneumonia.
Severe purulent tonsillitis leads to a number of systemic complications such as edema of the hands and feet, glomerulonephritis, sepsis, arthritis, heart failure, respiratory compression, pressure on the lungs making it difficult for the patient to breathe. The enlarged tonsils gradually turn into hypertrophic tonsillitis which can cause sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea affects quality of life and reduces work efficiency. It is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and neurological diseases such as depression.
Doctors at the ENT Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, remove tonsils for a patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital.
Treatment
Patients should gargle with salt water every day and avoid contact with people with respiratory diseases... to reduce inflammation in the tonsil area.
Use certain medications as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use other people's medications or prescriptions without your own consent.
If the above methods are not effective, the doctor may prescribe a tonsillectomy. This method is also indicated in cases of tonsil complications causing peritonsillar abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, arthritis, glomerulonephritis, pulmonary congestion, and frequent recurrent infections.
Prevent
To prevent tonsillitis, people should clean their teeth every day, gargle with salt water, wear a mask to avoid dust from the surrounding environment. Eat scientifically, limit alcohol, and treat promptly and properly if there are signs of illness.
Uyen Trinh
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