A tonsil infection or tonsillitis involves inflammation of the tonsils which are two tissues situated on both sides of the throat. Even though a viral infection is the cause of the various cases, bacterial infections are oftentimes responsible. The tonsil infections typically affect children from preschool age up to mid-teen years. The symptoms typically include white-colored patches on the rear of the throat, fever, pain, swollen tonsils, difficulty swallowing and a stiff neck. When managing a tonsil infection, the first step is to determine if it is viral or bacterial in nature.
Consulting a doctor
A doctor should be consulted if a tonsil infection is suspected to get an accurate diagnosis. The best way to properly manage a tonsil infection is to determine first if the infection is initiated by bacteria. Take note that viral infections typically heal on their own while infections caused by bacteria require the use of antibiotics.
When testing for the form of infection, the doctor will utilize a long stick with a cotton swab to take some mucus from the rear of the throat and test it for bacteria.
Using antibiotics
The individual is usually prescribed by the doctor with antibiotics if the infection is bacterial. The commonly used antibiotic in managing a tonsil infection is penicillin which is taken by mouth for 10 days. If the individual is allergic or sensitive to penicillin, the doctor will prescribe a different type of antibiotic.
Rest and other home remedies
It is recommended that the individual will take some time to rest so that the body can heal. Aside from rest, you can provide the individual with warm and cool fluids to drink to soothe the throat such as chicken soup, warm tea with honey and ice pops.
Pain medications
The individual should take pain medications to ease the symptoms of a tonsil infection. Pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve the pain and manage the fever that manifest during a tonsil infection. While the pain can be unpleasant for many individuals, a fever is also considered dangerous if it is too high.
Surgical intervention
In case the individual suffers from recurrent tonsil infections or the infection does not seem to respond to treatment, surgical intervention might be needed. Many individuals usually return home the day of the surgery and full recovery takes place within 7-10 days.
Once an individual is suspected with a tonsil infection, there are a number of home remedies that can help ease the symptoms. On the other hand, if the condition persists or the symptoms seem to worsen, it is best to consult a doctor for proper assessment of the condition. When antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor, the individual should follow the full course of treatment or he/she at risk for ending up with a recurrent or spreading infection.