3/31/2015
Disorders and Diseases Affecting the Lymphatic System
Tonsillitis
The Lymphatic System is a network of tubes throughout the body that drains fluid, lymph, from tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream. The main roles of the lymphatic system include managing the fluid levels in the body, filtering out bacteria, and housing types of white blood cells.
One disease of lymphatic system is Tonsillitis. Tonsils are the two small pads of lymphatic tissue located on each side of the back of your throat. They make antibodies and white blood cells to attack germs inside your mouth. Tonsils are part of the first line of defense against bacteria in food and air. So Tonsillitis is the inflammation and enlargement of the palatine tonsils, and frequently of the pharyngeal tonsils, or adenoids, which are located high in the throat above the soft palate. Tonsillitis can develop in people of all ages.
Tonsillitis is either a bacterial or viral infection. In children, tonsils help filter and protect the respiratory and alimentary tracts from infection. As children grow, this function diminishes and the tonsils shrink. Viral infections are more common in children, and antibiotics do not help if the tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection. To tell if it caused by bacteria a throat culture will have to be performed. Some symptoms of infected and enlarged tonsils include white or yellow spots of pus on the tonsils, sore throat, swollen lymph glands under each side of the jaw. Also there will be a significant amount of pain when with the swelling, fever, bad breath, and breathing