Tonsillitus Cures

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, the two lymph nodes situated at the back of the throat. It is a common childhood ailment, but the condition may also develop in adulthood. Distinctly different forms of tonsillitis are caused by viruses and bacteria. While surgery was once the standard treatment for infections of the tonsils, modern therapies center on home treatment or the administration of antibiotics.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis

• Tonsillitis is the general term for a number of different possible infections. If you or your child experience the symptoms of tonsil infection---including sore throat, headache, fever and tonsils that are swollen or exhibit white patches---see your doctor for accurate diagnosis. This is especially important because different forms of infection require distinctly different treatments.

Treating Viral Tonsillitis

• Viral tonsillitis accounts for most cases of the illness, with causes including Epstein-Barre virus, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and the measles virus. There are no medications available to combat the causes of viral tonsillitis, and if you receive a diagnosis for this form of infection, treatment will involve steps to diminish discomfort while the virus runs its course.

  You may obtain symptom relief by gargling regularly with salt water, as well as by eating foods such as gelatin, popsicles or apple sauce. Drinking warm liquids like soups or broths may also help. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen will help reduce the symptoms of throat inflammation. While adults may also take aspirin for this purpose, do not give aspirin to your child or teenager. You may also use acetaminophen to obtain relief from fever. Recovery from viral tonsillitis typically takes one or two weeks.

Treating Bacterial Tonsillitis

• Bacterial causes of tonsillitis include Streptococcus pyogenes, also referred to as group A streptococcus. Group A streptococcus is responsible for the particular form of tonsillitis known as strep throat. If you or your child receive a diagnosis for strep throat, be aware that this form of tonsillitis is potentially much more serious than other tonsil infections, with complications that occasionally include kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.

  Treatment for bacterial tonsillitis requires use of antibiotics. Oral penicillin or an equivalent is typically given, although the presence of extensive swelling in the throat may indicate the need for inject able compounds. Whatever the form of antibiotic used, it is vital that a full course of the medication be given, since interrupting treatment can encourage a return of infection. Strep throat can be quite contagious, and if your child has a strep infection treatment must proceed for at least a day before you consider a return to child care or school.

Surgery

• In cases where tonsillitis is chronic or frequently recurrent, surgical removal of the tonsils may be necessary. Your child may benefit from removal if serious infections occur seven times or more in a given year, five times or more in two consecutive years, or three times or more in three consecutive years. Consult your doctor for possible steps toward surgery. Tonsil removal for adults is quite rare.