What are the differences between influenza and tonsillitis?
Feb 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, and tonsillitis, which refers to inflammation of the tonsils, differ in several aspects including causative agents, symptoms, severity of illness, transmissibility, and treatment approaches. In daily life, influenza can be prevented through vaccination. Prevention of tonsillitis primarily includes improving personal hygiene, adjusting dietary habits, and drinking more hot water.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, and tonsillitis, which refers to inflammation of the tonsils, differ significantly in terms of causative agents, symptoms, severity, contagiousness, and treatment approaches. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Causative Agents: Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus, primarily types A and B; tonsillitis, on the other hand, is mainly caused by infections such as streptococcus or adenoviruses leading to inflammation of the tonsils.
2. Symptoms: Symptoms of influenza typically include high fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue, with relatively mild respiratory symptoms. Tonsillitis primarily presents with sore throat, fever, cough, headache, and fatigue, with severe cases potentially causing difficulty swallowing.
3. Severity: Influenza symptoms are usually more severe than those of tonsillitis and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and myocarditis. Although tonsillitis may also cause discomfort, it generally does not result in such severe complications.
4. Contagiousness: Both influenza and tonsillitis are contagious, but influenza is more highly transmissible. Influenza primarily spreads through airborne droplets and contact, whereas tonsillitis mainly spreads through droplets.
5. Treatment Approaches: Treatment for influenza involves following medical advice to use medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, or oseltamivir phosphate capsules to alleviate symptoms. Patients with tonsillitis can, under medical guidance, use medications such as compound honeysuckle granules, amoxicillin capsules, or roxithromycin tablets to manage symptoms.
In daily life, influenza can be prevented through vaccination. Preventing tonsillitis mainly involves maintaining good personal hygiene, improving dietary habits, and drinking plenty of water.
