You should also wipe down surfaces in the home that you have touched with a disinfectant wipe. If tonsillitis is caused by a virus such as the common cold, not a lot can be done to treat it. The best you can hope for is symptom relief through at-home remedies. These remedies include:. If you suffer from bacterial tonsillitis, antibiotics are the most common form of relief.
If you suffer from chronic or recurring tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy is often required. Tonsillectomy refers to a medical procedure in which the tonsils are removed from the throat. This relief method is usually only recommended for people struggling with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis.
Alternatively, it may be recommended if symptoms do not improve with home care or if tonsillitis is causing serious complications. Although rare, it is possible for your tonsils to grow back after they have been removed. If this occurs and you suffer from tonsillitis again, you may need to have your tonsils removed again.
It is also important to note that while a tonsillectomy is a guaranteed method for preventing tonsillitis, it is only an effective way to reduce your risk of developing strep throat. Remember, your tonsils are designed to prevent throat infection. It is possible to get strep throat without tonsils. Antibiotics are only prescribed for tonsillitis when it is caused by a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics will provide rapid symptom relief and, after 24 hours, prevent you from spreading the infection to others. Never take an antibiotic for viral tonsillitis. It is ineffective and increases your risk of antibiotic resistance and gastrointestinal distress.
The most common antibiotic prescribed for tonsillitis is penicillin. Let us know during your appointment if you are allergic to penicillin so we can offer you an alternative antibiotic. It is absolutely critical that you take your entire course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Even if your symptoms disappear completely, you run the risk of the infection getting worse if you deviate from the instructions provided to you.
Moreover, you may suffer from other complications, such as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis or rheumatic fever. Never hesitate to reach out if you feel you need additional medical care. Unfortunately, one strain of bacteria that causes tonsillitis can also cause strep throat. Like tonsillitis, strep throat is contagious, so you want to stay home until your symptoms are gone.
You may have both tonsillitis and strep throat if you are experiencing the symptoms of tonsillitis along with:. The same tests used to diagnose tonsillitis can accurately diagnose strep throat. Therefore, you will not need two separate treatments for the two illnesses.
If you suffer from chronic tonsillitis, you are at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. OSA occurs when your airways swell and you cannot draw in enough oxygen when you sleep. If left untreated, this can lead to several medical conditions, such as strokes, irritability, weight gain and memory impairment. Another risk of having tonsillitis is the illness spreading to another part of your body. This is known as tonsillar cellulitis.
Moreover, your infected tonsils can lead to a significant buildup of pus behind your tonsils. This is known as a peritonsillar abscess. If you develop this condition, you will need drainage and surgery. These remedies are not recommended for children, because they have not been proved to have any benefits in the treatment of acute tonsillitis. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instruction on the label.
Antibiotics are prescribed for tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria. A strep infection will usually go away on its own, but antibiotic treatment is needed because untreated strep throat can cause serious complications. For more information, see the topic Strep Throat. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure you take them exactly as directed by your doctor.
Antibiotics should be taken for the entire duration of the prescription, even if the symptoms disappear completely before the prescription is gone. If antibiotics used to treat tonsillitis are not taken as directed, bacteria can become resistant to them antibiotic resistance. In these cases, antibiotic treatment of future infections may not work.
Surgical removal of the tonsils tonsillectomy is still a common procedure, particularly for children. But it is not done nearly as often as it was in the past. Tonsillectomy may be considered to treat tonsillitis when a child has serious complications, recurrent infections, or chronic infections that do not respond to treatment and interfere with daily functioning.
But the risks and benefits of surgery need to be weighed carefully. Tonsillectomy should only be done after you and your doctor carefully consider your or your child's overall health. A wide variety of viruses and bacteria can cause tonsillitis, so the best prevention is to follow basic health and hygiene precautions.
These steps are especially helpful for children:. The goal of home treatment of tonsillitis caused by a virus is to manage symptoms as the body fights off the infection. Home treatment eases the discomfort of sore throat and symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and coughing. Things that may help you or your child feel better include:. Ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve sore throat pain.
Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 because of its link to Reye syndrome, a serious but rare problem.
Cough and cold medicines may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems. Before you use these medicines, check the label. Many over-the-counter remedies, including antiseptic mouthwashes, decongestants , and antihistamines , contain extra ingredients that don't relieve discomfort. These remedies are not recommended for children, since these ingredients have not been proved to have any benefits in the treatment of acute tonsillitis.
A sore throat along with sudden fever and swollen lymph nodes , and without symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection , may point to a bacterial infection. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor to be tested for strep throat , which requires treatment with antibiotics. It is important to get plenty of rest and take all the prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed. Keep your child home from school for the first 1 to 2 days of antibiotic treatment.
He or she is still contagious during this time and might pass the infection to others. Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus and does not require prescription medicine.
For information on over-the-counter pain medicine and other self-care options, see Home Treatment. An antibiotic , usually amoxicillin or penicillin, is used to treat tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria.
Although tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria usually will go away on its own, antibiotics are used to prevent the complications , such as rheumatic fever , that can result from untreated strep throat. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure you take them exactly as directed by your doctor until the medicine is gone. Even if the symptoms go away completely before the prescription is gone, all pills should be taken as directed to make sure the infection is completely destroyed.
Bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat tonsillitis antibiotic resistance if prescriptions aren't taken as directed or if they are prescribed when they aren't needed. Tonsillectomy for tonsillitis is generally used for children who have serious complications or recurrent infections that do not respond to other treatment, especially when they interfere with daily life.
But tonsillectomy should only be done after you and your doctor carefully consider your child's medical history and overall health. Researchers in a recent study concluded that tonsillectomy may be no better than watchful waiting for children who have mild symptoms, which was defined as tonsillitis occurring fewer than 3 times a year.
But for some children, tonsillectomy can greatly improve their quality of life. Children who are most likely to benefit from tonsillectomy are those who have:.
Tonsillectomy for strep throat may be done in cases of recurring tonsillitis that do not respond to antibiotics or if an infection threatens the child's well-being. Tonsillectomy is still the most common major surgical procedure done on children in Canada. But it is not done as often as it was in the past. Upper respiratory infections and tonsillitis usually occur less frequently as a child gets older.
Consider whether your child's tonsillitis infections are manageable until you can wait to see if he or she outgrows them. A child who has tonsillectomy will need special care and close monitoring for at least a week after the surgery. Consider your ability to provide this care for your child before deciding on tonsillectomy.
Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is tonsillitis? What causes tonsillitis? What are the symptoms? How is tonsillitis diagnosed?
How is it treated? Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.
Cause Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus. How tonsillitis is spread Tonsillitis is spread by close contact with an infected person. Symptoms The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. Some or all of the following may be present: Fever Bad breath Nasal congestion and runny nose Swollen lymph nodes Red, swollen tonsils covered completely or in patches by pus Difficulty swallowing Headache Abdominal belly pain Raw, bleeding patches on the tonsils When you have sore throat plus cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, the cause is most likely a virus.
What Happens Tonsillitis, in most cases, lasts 4 to 10 days. Complications of tonsillitis Tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria that is not treated with antibiotics may result in complications , such as ear and sinus infections or pockets of infection outside the tonsils peritonsillar abscess.
What Increases Your Risk Close contact with an infected person is the main risk factor for tonsillitis. When should you call your doctor? Sore throat, along with any two of these signs of bacterial infection: Fever of Persistent mouth-breathing, snoring, or a very nasal- or muffled-sounding voice. Signs of dehydration , such as a dry mouth and tongue and urinating less than normal.
Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your or your child's symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Who to see Your family doctor or general practitioner can evaluate tonsillitis, perform quick tests or throat cultures, and prescribe antibiotic treatment if needed.
If treating your children with painkillers, it's important to use the correct type and dosage. Younger children only need small dosages. Your pharmacist can advise you about this. Over-the-counter treatments that can soothe a sore throat, such as lozenges and oral sprays, are also available. Some people find that gargling with a mild antiseptic solution can also relieve a sore throat.
Alternatively, you could try gargling with warm, salty water. Mix half a teaspoon of salt 2. It's important not to swallow the water, so this method may not be suitable for younger children. Antibiotics may not be prescribed, even if tests confirm your tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection. The two main reasons for this are:. In these circumstances, a day course of penicillin is usually recommended.
If you or your child is known to be allergic to penicillin, an alternative antibiotic, such as erythromycin, can be used. Hospital treatment may be required for particularly severe or persistent cases of bacterial tonsillitis that don't respond to oral antibiotics. In these cases, intravenous antibiotics given directly into a vein may be needed. Antibiotics sometimes cause mild side effects, such as an upset stomach, diarrhoea or a rash.
For children with mild sore throats, watchful waiting is recommended rather than a tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is only considered for a recurrent sore throat if certain criteria are met. You must have:. Tonsillectomies are carried out under general anaesthetic , which means you'll be asleep during the procedure.
Your mouth will be held open to allow the surgeon to see your tonsils and no cuts will be made in your skin. Each of these techniques is relatively similar in terms of safety, results and recovery, so the type of surgery used will depend on the expertise and training of the surgeon.
After surgery, it's likely you'll experience some pain at the site of the operation. This can last for up to a week. Painkillers can help to relieve the pain. Children who have had a tonsillectomy should be kept off school for two weeks. This is to reduce their risk of picking up an infection from another child that will make them feel more uncomfortable.
Swallowing will probably be difficult after having a tonsillectomy. However, it's important to eat solid foods, because it will help your throat to heal more quickly. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic drinks, such as orange juice, because they'll sting. Ensuring good oral hygiene by regularly brushing your teeth and using mouthwash can help prevent infection in the mouth. The pain usually gets worse during the first week after having a tonsillectomy, before gradually improving during the second week.
Earache is common with tonsillectomies, but isn't a cause for concern. Bleeding at the site where the tonsils were removed is a fairly common complication of a tonsillectomy.
This can occur during the first 24 hours following surgery or up to 10 days afterwards. It's estimated that around 1 in children and 1 in 30 adults will experience post-operative bleeding after having a tonsillectomy. Minor bleeding isn't usually a cause for concern, because in most cases it resolves by itself. Gargling with cold water can often help stem the bleeding, because the cold helps to contract the blood vessels.
Occasionally, the bleeding can be more severe, causing people to cough up blood. Seek immediate medical advice if this happens. You should be given an emergency contact number before you're discharged from hospital. Alternatively, you can call NHS 24's '' service. Home Illnesses and conditions Ears, nose and throat Tonsillitis. Tonsillitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About tonsillitis 2. Symptoms of tonsillitis 3. Causes of tonsillitis 4.
Treating tonsillitis. About tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsillitis is a common condition in children, teenagers and young adults. The symptoms of tonsillitis include: a sore throat and pain when swallowing earache high temperature fever over 38C
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