Complications That Can Result From Tonsillitis
Untreated tonsillitis can cause several complications, including; (9)
Sleep Apnea
2 to 5 percent of adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the upper airway fails to remain open or collapses repeatedly due to any cause during sleep. Poor quality of sleep and fatigue during the day are the consequences of this interruption. A study found that it is also associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
It can be caused by enlarged tonsils that prevent optimal breathing during sleep. A recurrent tonsillitis or inflammation that persists in the tonsils can lead to sleep apnea (either temporarily or permanently).
Swollen tonsils can cause temporary sleep apnea during an infection. Both children and adults are susceptible to this complication. Tonsillectomy may be recommended for children with sleep apnea, which could otherwise become chronic and fatal.
Otitis Media
Another complication is that tonsil infections can develop into middle ear infections. Waldeyer’s tonsillar ring is a collection of lymphoid tissue that is visible behind your tongue when you open your mouth. There are four tonsils in this ring: the palatine, adenoid, tubal, and lingual tonsils. The size of all this tissue increases when we have tonsillitis.
The Eustachian tube is the only opening in the middle ear, which is a sealed cavity. Next to the Eustachian tube is the adenoid tissue, or the highest part of your tonsils. Swollen adenoid tissue can block the Eustachian tube, causing pressure to build up in the ear. An effusion (accumulation of pus or fluid) in the ear can lead to infection of the middle ear or otitis media.
Quinsy (Peritonsillar Abscess)
Strep throat or tonsillitis can progress into tonsillar cellulitis if they do not go away. Peritonsillar abscess can result from tonsillar cellulitis in some cases. Compression of the airway caused by this abscess behind the tonsil can be very painful.
Fever, throat pain, and lockjaw are some of the symptoms of peritonsillar abscess. There is typically only one side affected, so asymmetry is looked for. Doctors usually drain it to help relieve the infection.
Rheumatic Fever
The bacteria that cause strep throat can get into the bloodstream and cause rheumatic fever. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 are most likely to suffer from this inflammatory disorder. It can cause permanent damage to the heart, joints, and other tissues. Sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, headache, and muscle aches are some of the symptoms.
Heart valve damage secondary to rheumatic heart disease can affect you for the rest of your life. Following this, you would require antibiotics if you undergo any type of surgery where there is a risk of infection or sepsis in the blood. The purpose of this step is to prevent bacteria from growing into the damaged heart valve, causing further damage.
Kidney Complications
A strep throat infection can cause post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory condition of the kidneys. It is common among children than adults after recovering from strep throat. Kidney function is impaired due to the disorder.
The majority of patients with PSGN recover within a few weeks without any additional or lasting complications. Long-term kidney damage (or kidney failure) can occur in very rare cases.
Scarlet fever
It is a rare complication of tonsillitis. A toxin released by Group A Streptococci causes scarlet fever, which results in a bright red rash, with slightly raised areas that resemble sandpaper. Groins and armpits are usually the first places where it starts. After antibiotics are started, children with scarlet fever can usually return to school one or two days later.
Toxic shock syndrome
Tonsillitis can result in toxic shock syndrome, a very rare but serious complication. In 30-60% of cases, it results in blood pressure loss and organ failure – leading to death.
Jugular vein thrombosis
A tonsil infection can spread to the jugular vein, which drains blood from the brain, head, and neck. Young adults are more likely to suffer from this condition. A blood clot can also block the jugular vein, causing inflammation of the vein. High fever, neck pain, and breathing difficulties are common symptoms. A septic emoboli can sometimes break off and spread to other parts of the body to cause further complications.
PANDAS
PANDAS is a pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder caused by Group A Streptococcus. Doctors are not all in agreement about the existence of this condition. Following a Group A streptococcal infection, children with obsessive compulsive disorder and/or tic disorders are likely to suffer from this condition.
Necrotizing fasciitis
This is another severe complication of tonsillitis caused by Group A Streptococcus. Soft tissue dies from this aggressive infection. Usually, the dead, infected tissue is surgically removed along with strong antibiotics administered directly into the bloodstream.
Cancer
Although tonsillitis and cancer are unrelated, they sometimes have similar symptoms. Adults with chronic sore throats or tonsillitis that doesn’t seem to go away may be suffering from something more serious, such as cancer.
Tonsillitis isn’t often seen in adults, so when it occurs, it may actually be something else masquerading as tonsillitis. It is important for doctors to ensure that the symptoms of a middle-aged man with tonsillitis or recurrent tonsillitis improve to rule out an underlying problem, such as throat or tonsil cancer.
If tonsillitis symptoms don’t subside or infections keep recurring, it’s important to rule out those more serious complications.