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Sep 3, 2022 · If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus.
- Symptoms & Causes
Diagnosis & treatment. On this page. Overview. Symptoms....
- Tonsillectomy
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- Inflamed Tonsils
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- Symptoms & Causes
- Can adults have tonsillitis?
- Symptoms in adults
- What causes tonsillitis in adults?
- What increases your risk for tonsillitis?
- When to seek help
- How is tonsillitis treated?
- Should you have a tonsillectomy?
- Outlook
Tonsillitis most often affects kids and teens, but adults can develop it, too. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small soft tissue masses found on each side of the back of your throat. They’re part of your immune system and they help fight off germs and prevent infections.
Read on to learn more about what causes tonsillitis and how doctors treat the condition in adults.
Symptoms of tonsillitis in adults are similar to symptoms in children, and may include:
•sore throat
•pain when swallowing
•red, swollen tonsils
•white or yellow patches on the tonsils
•enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Tonsillitis is most often caused by a virus, but sometimes bacteria may also be to blame.
Viruses that can lead to tonsillitis include:
•influenza virus
•common cold viruses
•herpes simplex virus
•Epstein-Barr virus
Risk factors for tonsillitis include young age and exposure to germs that cause viral or bacterial infections.
One reason tonsillitis might be more common in children and teens is because the tonsils play a smaller role in immune function after puberty.
It’s a good idea to wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing drinks with others if you’re prone to infections.
You can still get sore throats and throat infections even if you’ve had your tonsils removed.
See a doctor if your symptoms become severe or last longer than four days without any noticeable improvement.
A physician can diagnose the cause of tonsillitis by asking you questions and examining your throat.
You may also need to have your throat swabbed to see if you have a bacterial infection. This test involves rubbing a sterile swab along the back of your throat to get a sample. The results can take minutes or up to 48 hours, depending on the location of the lab and type of test used.
In some cases, doctors may want to perform a blood test to check your complete blood count. These results can help determine if your tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacteria.
There’s no specific treatment for viral tonsillitis, but you can help reduce symptoms by:
•getting plenty of rest
•staying hydrated by drinking enough water
•taking pain-relieving medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
•gargling a saltwater solution
•using a humidifier
Surgery to remove your tonsils is known as a tonsillectomy. It’s sometimes recommended for very severe or frequent cases of tonsillitis.
Frequent tonsillitis is usually defined as:
•more than seven episodes of tonsillitis in one year
•more than four to five occurrences a year in each of the previous two years
•more than three occurrences a year in each of the previous three years
A tonsillectomy is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll be able to go home the same day.
Tonsillitis is more common in children, but adults can also develop the condition. If you develop tonsillitis, a viral infection is the most likely culprit, but it could also be caused by a bacterial infection.
Many cases of tonsillitis will get better on their own, usually within a week. If your condition keeps coming back, is severe, or doesn’t respond to simple treatment, talk to your doctor about whether surgery is right for you.
- Julie Marks
Oct 12, 2023 · Antibiotics, if your infection is bacterial. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics like penicillin, clindamycin or cephalosporin. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take the full course of antibiotics, even if you’re feeling better after a couple of days.
Apr 27, 2023 · Since most of the time infection is due to a virus and not a bacteria, antibiotics are not routinely needed. For a bacterial infection such as strep, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic,...
Tonsillitis in adults: What to know. Symptoms. Causes. Risk factors. When to see a doctor. Treatments. Home remedies. Removal and recovery. Summary. Tonsillitis is more common in children and...
May 8, 2023 · Tonsillitis is an infection of your tonsils, which are two masses of tissue at the back of your throat. Your tonsils act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and...
