About this topic
Tonsils are glands that can be found at the back of your childs throat. They help filter germs that enter the nose and mouth. When they are infected, the tonsils swell and your child has tonsillitis. When tonsillitis is not treated right away, it may cause a more serious condition called a peritonsillar abscess. This is also known as PTA. It is a collection of pus that forms in the area around the tonsils. ‚
PTA is caused by bacteria. Drugs are given to treat this condition. Sometimes, the doctor will need to drain or cut away the abscess. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Your doctor may want your child to gargle to help with pain. Ask what your child should gargle with. Often, the doctor will suggest your child gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water 2 to 3 times a day.
- Have your child rest the throat. Encourage your child not to not talk, sing, or cough for a week.
- Use good hand washing.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may need to rest at home for 1 to 2 days or until feeling better. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids.
- If your childs throat feels too sore to eat solid foods, offer juice, milk, milkshakes, or soups. You can also give jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, and other soft foods.
- Do not give orange juice, grapefruit juice, and other acidic drinks.
- Do not give spicy foods, fried foods, hard to digest food, and crunchy food.
What problems could happen?
- Trouble breathing
- Pain gets worse
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the jaw, neck, or chest
- Infection and fluid around the lungs
- Too much fluid loss
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Treat sore throats and tonsillitis right away.
- Teach your child to wash hands often. Be sure to wash after blowing the nose or taking care of others with a sore throat.
- Do not let your child share utensils and drinking glasses with someone who has a sore throat. Wash these objects with hot, soapy water.
- Do not let your child share foods or drinks with others while they are sick.
- Teach your child to throw away used tissues right away, then wash the hands.
- Get your child a new toothbrush after signs are gone or your child is done with the antibiotics.
- If your child is a toddler and puts toys in the mouth, clean the toys using soap and water.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; very bad sore throat; more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Signs of fluid loss. These include soft spot on a babys head looks sunken, few or no tears when crying, dark-colored urine or only a small amount of urine for more than 6 to 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling very sleepy.
- Trouble breathing and swallowing
- Spitting and throwing up blood
- Not able to eat or drink
- Lots of drooling
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my child's diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has trouble breathing or swallowing or lots of drool.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/peritonsillar-abscess.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Quinsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚