Tonsillitis in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Tonsillitis is a contagious medical condition in which the tonsils get inflamed due to an infection. Several individuals worry that tonsillitis during pregnancy is a serious concern as it poses a possible threat to them as well as the baby. Certain highly contagious viral and bacterial strains are responsible for causing tonsillitis during pregnancy. Pregnancy warrants extra care of your health because any health issue during this time can lead to severe complications. If not managed in time, tonsillitis in pregnancy could develop into a high-risk condition that could lead to unpredictable complications. We know that you are bubbling up with several questions, like ‘Can tonsillitis and pregnancy have a collective affect on my baby?’ ‘Can this happen to me?’

Before you scratch you head for answers, give this article a read for causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures for tonsillitis in pregnancy.

What Is Tonsillitis?

MedlinePlus explains that tonsils are lymphatic tissues situated in the human throat. They are situated at the back of the throat. Tonsils act as the body’s primary line of defence, protecting it against various infections. But at times, tonsils can fall prey to a viral or bacterial infection, which causes them to become enlarged. This inflammation of the tonsils is called tonsillitis (1).

Tonsillitis can be acute (cured within a few weeks) or chronic (persists for more than a few weeks). Both these conditions, with their accompanying symptoms like fever, throat pain, and malaise, can not only add to the overall discomfort during pregnancy. Thus, it is best to treat tonsillitis in time.

Causes of Tonsillitis While Pregnant

Did you know that viral pathogens account for 70% to 95% of cases, whereas bacterial pathogens, especially Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]), are responsible for 5% to 15% of cases in adults (2).

Some of the causes of tonsillitis are mentioned below:

• A viral infection
• A bacterial infection, such as strep throat, caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria (3)
• Poor immune system
• A sore throat left untreated
• Continued hypothermia
• Sinusitis
• Inflammation of adenoids or polyps
• Severe tooth decay
• Poor diet

Symptoms of Tonsillitis in Pregnancy

The NHS lists down some of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis (4):

• A sore throat
• Pain upon swallowing due to swollen tonsils
• Weakness
• General fatigue or malaise
• Fever
• A dry cough
• Headaches and muscle ache
• Lymph node consolidation
• Bad breath
• Difficulty in swallowing

Can Tonsillitis Be Dangerous for a Pregnant Woman?

Tonsillitis can harm a pregnant woman’s well-being because it indicates a weakened immune system. If you have tonsillitis during pregnancy, chances are that you will also be vulnerable to other infections, which can cause many pregnancy complications, including a miscarriage. Once the infection enters your body, it may travel to the foetus, jeopardising its existence. Intrauterine infection, premature birth, and weak labour activity are some common problems that arise because of tonsillitis in the second trimester of pregnancy. Tonsillitis may also be responsible for triggering late toxicosis during pregnancy.

In order to treat bacterial tonsillitis, a course of antibiotics is required, which may pose additional health risks such as acute diarrhoea, which might result in dehydration, gastric distress along with enhanced nausea, heartburn, vomiting and so on. Moreover, the consumption of antibiotics when pregnant can also lead to developmental disorders in the foetus.

Tommy’s says that there is not enough evidence to prove that tonsillitis is dangerous in pregnancy (5). However, if tonsillitis progresses to the chronic stage, it may further affect your immune system and expose you to external pathogens that may attack the vital organs of the body. Pregnant women with chronic tonsillitis usually have a caesarean section.

And in the case of strep tonsillitis (caused by streptococcal bacteria) during pregnancy, immediate treatment will be required, as strep tonsillitis can lead to fatal conditions like rheumatic fever (which affects the heart valves) and glomerulonephritis (which harms the kidneys).

Treatment for Tonsillitis During Pregnancy

It is commonly advised to treat tonsillitis before pregnancy, if possible, as the use of drugs during pregnancy is not desirable. The treatment for tonsillitis during pregnancy depends on the cause.

• If the tonsillitis is caused by a virus, no medication is required.
• If the cause of tonsillitis is a bacterial infection, you may be required to take antibiotics.

Your doctor, upon examination and determination of your condition, may prescribe certain safe analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicines to cure the symptoms of tonsillitis.

Treatments That Are Safe During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are usually advised to follow the following remedies for tonsillitis:

• Using an antiseptic to cleanse the tonsils.
• Washing the tonsils with herbal infusions.
• Applying disinfecting solutions on the tonsils.
• Using anti-inflammatory sprays.
• Using biologically active additives (BBA) to strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing process.

Treatments That Pregnant Women Should Avoid

The following tonsillitis treatment in pregnancy are not advisable –

• Taking medicines along with antihistamine drugs.
• Physiotherapy
• Use of antibiotics except if there is a probable threat to the growing foetus from streptococcus bacteria tonsillitis in the third trimester of your pregnancy.

Home Remedies for Tonsillitis While Pregnant

Here are some home remedies that may help cure your tonsillitis during pregnancy:

• Gargling regularly with warm salt water may speed up the healing process, as salt has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (6).
• Drinking lemon tea with a dash of honey every day can prove beneficial, as lemon contains vitamin C, which may boost immunity. Honey possesses antimicrobial properties, which can help soothe the throat.
• Having ginger tea can also provide relief from tonsillitis during pregnancy. You may add a pinch of turmeric to the ginger tea, as turmeric is a natural analgesic and has antimicrobial properties. You can also mix some honey to enhance the flavour of the tea.

How to Prevent Tonsillitis During Pregnancy?

In order to prevent tonsillitis during pregnancy or otherwise, the first thing you should do is drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. Drinking enough water and other fluids will lower the risk of infections. Apart from drinking water, you should also maintain proper hygiene. Make sure you have a healthy diet which comprises green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, healthy beverages, and proteins – it will improve your immune strength. Drinking vegetable soups of carrot, cucumber, beet may aid in fighting the infection naturally. Refrain from eating fried, oily, starchy, and spicy foods as they may worsen your condition. Also, avoid colourful foods and foods with essence in them. Wash your hands to prevent the virus and bacteria from spreading, and avoid contact with people who have strep throat. Prevention is always better than cure, so take necessary measures and stay safe during pregnancy.

FAQs

1. Is tonsillitis dangerous during pregnancy?

Most cases resolve without complications, but severe or untreated infections should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

2. Can tonsillitis affect my baby?

Mild tonsillitis usually does not affect the baby. However, high fever or severe infections should receive prompt medical attention.

3. Can I take antibiotics for tonsillitis while pregnant?

Certain antibiotics are considered safe during pregnancy when prescribed by a doctor. Consult a doctor to seek treatment for swollen tonsils during pregnancy.

4. How can I soothe a sore throat caused by tonsillitis?

You can take warm fluids like chicken soup or pregnancy-safe warm herbal teas like ginger tea to help ease the sore throat. Saltwater gargles are an effective remedy for tonsillitis followed by adequate hydration. Make sure to give your body enough rest to help ease discomfort.

5. When should I call my doctor for tonsillitis during pregnancy?

Contact your doctor if you develop a high fever with sore throat, difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing, dehydration, extreme weakness, or symptoms that worsen despite home care (7).

Many pregnant women consider herbal decoction or tincture to treat tonsillitis. However, self-medication, especially during pregnancy, should be avoided; otherwise, it may result in unnecessary pregnancy complications for both the mother and the baby.

Also Read:

Bronchitis during Pregnancy
Torch Infection when Pregnant
Swollen Lymph Nodes in Pregnancy

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Sources References

1. MedlinePlus – Tonsillitis

2. National Library of Medicine – Tonsillitis

3. American Pregnancy Association – Strep Throat During Pregnancy

4. NHS – Tonsillitis

5. Tommy’s – Infections in pregnancy

6. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology – Long-term impact of Personalized Treatment of Chronic Tonsillopharyngitis in Pregnant women and after childbirth on Maternal and Child Health

7. Mayo Clinic – Tonsillitis