Glands (they are tonsils) are accumulations of lymphoid tissues that perform the function of protecting the body. This organ is located in the throat, at the base of the tongue, on both sides. You can feel them outside, especially if they are enlarged.
It is tonsils that are the barrier that harmful microbes,
bacteria and viruses that enter through our body from food, water and air do not pass into our bodies. These natural filters protect the human body from a huge list of various diseases. However, if there are too many microbes, the glands do not cope with their functions, become inflamed and themselves become a source of infection. This is just the reason why
tonsils are enlarged in a child. In medicine, this condition is called tonsillitis. There is a chronic and acute form of tonsillitis, the latter also known as tonsillitis.
What are the signs that the tonsils are enlarged in a child? Most often, the following symptoms can be observed:
- the appearance of difficulty and discomfort when swallowing;
- a whitish coating appears on the glands;
- the child himself becomes sleepy and lethargic, inactive;
- temperature rises;
- bad breath.
In addition, when the tonsils are enlarged in the child, they can be easily felt even from the outside of the neck, right under the chin.
As for treatment, there are two main methods. First, let's talk about conservative treatment, which primarily involves compliance with bed rest and the use of large quantities of fluid. A very good effect is given by washing (gargling) with various herbal decoctions or with a regular solution of salt and soda. As for herbs, it is best if the tonsils in the child are enlarged, those that have an antibacterial effect are suitable. It can be chamomile, mint, sage. Brew the broth in a proportion of 2 tablespoons of herbs in a glass of boiling water. A solution of furacilin also copes with its task (two tablets need to be crushed and dissolved in a glass of warm water).
Nevertheless, the above measures are designed to help to cope with the problem faster, but this is not enough to completely eliminate it. If your child has enlarged tonsils, it will require the intervention of a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics that are suitable for age and individual parameters. As a rule, in such situations, macrolytics are used (for example, azithromycin or erythromycin).
As we already know, if the tonsils are enlarged, the reasons for this may lie in viral infections. If tonsillitis is not detected in time, it can become chronic. Usually, surgical trimming of the tonsils is performed in this case, but many specialists prefer to wait until the child enters puberty - when the body begins to rebuild globally, tonsils often decrease on their own.
Now you know the basic information about the causes and treatment of such a thing as enlarged tonsils in a child. The photos attached to this article will help you get a more complete picture of this pathology and detect it in a timely manner.