b. Treatment involves warm saline gargles and irrigations. An ice collar may be
used to reduce pain and swelling. Analgesic and antitussive medications are given to
alleviate pain and coughing. Antibiotics will be prescribed for a bacterial causative
organism.
c. Because of throat discomfort and difficulty swallowing, the patient should be
given a soft or liquid diet while symptoms are severe. Fluids should be encouraged.
2-31. TONSILITIS
Tonsilitis is inflammation of the palatine tonsils, a pair of lymphatic tissue
structures, and one located on each side of the oropharynx. Enlargement of the
adenoids, a large mass of lymphoid tissue at the posterior wall of the nasopharynx,
often accompanies acute tonsilitis.
a. Symptoms include a painful and inflamed throat, difficulty swallowing, and
enlarged tonsils with exudate that appears as white or yellow spots.
b. Treatment includes warm throat irrigations and analgesics. A throat culture at
the tonsillar site is done to determine the type of bacteria present, and antibiotic therapy
is initiated.
c. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are indicated when treatment is
unsuccessful and antibiotics cannot control frequent recurrent infections or when
hypertrophy or peritonsillar abscess threaten to occlude the airway.
2-32. LARYNGITIS
Inflammation of the larynx, or voice box, is most commonly caused by voice
abuse, excessive use of tobacco, or as a result of infection.
a. It is characterized by a sore and dry throat, cough, and hoarseness or loss of
voice.
b. Treatment involves voice rest and restriction from smoking. Steam inhalation
therapy is often indicated. Antibiotic therapy should be initiated if the laryngitis is a
result of bacterial infection.
2-33. ACUTE CORYZA
The "common cold" is the term used to refer to afebrile, infectious, acute coryza,
which is caused by many different viruses. Colds are highly contagious. Symptoms do
not appear until 24-48 hours after exposure to the virus, yet during this time the
exposed individual is already contagious.
MD0917
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