You can still get strep throat and other throat infections after your tonsils are removed, though. You should be able to go home the same day as your surgery, but it will take 1 to 2 weeks to fully recover.
Learn what to do before and after getting a tonsillectomy. If a bacterial infection caused your tonsillitis, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. Antibiotics may help your symptoms go away slightly faster. However, they increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and may have other side effects , like an upset stomach. Antibiotics are more necessary for people at risk of complications from tonsillitis.
Your doctor may want you to schedule a follow-up visit to ensure that the medication was effective. Use throat sprays rather than lozenges for young children, and always check with your doctor before giving children medications. Find out more ways to care for tonsillitis at home. Tonsillitis is most common in children because they come into close contact with others every day at school and play, exposing them to a variety of viruses and bacteria.
However, adults can get tonsillitis too. Frequent exposure to people increases the risk of encountering someone with the infection. As a result, taking public transportation or doing other activities alongside many people may increase your chance of being exposed to tonsillitis.
Symptoms of tonsillitis and treatments are similar for both adults and kids. Learn what to do if you develop tonsillitis as an adult. A number of different bacteria or viruses can cause tonsillitis, including group A streptococcus bacteria.
This same bacteria is the only cause of strep throat. Both conditions are contagious, so you should try to stay away from other people if you think you have either one. Your doctor can use the same tests to diagnose both conditions.
Treatments for bacterial tonsillitis and strep throat are also similar. Learn more about the differences between tonsillitis and strep throat. People who experience chronic tonsillitis may start to experience obstructive sleep apnea. This happens when the airways swell and prevents a person from sleeping well, which can lead to other medical issues if left untreated. This is known as tonsillar cellulitis. The infection can also cause a person to develop a buildup of pus behind the tonsils, called a peritonsillar abscess.
This can require drainage and surgery. These include rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. To decrease your risk of getting tonsillitis, stay away from people who have active infections. Ensure you and your child practice good hygiene habits. Accessed Oct. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Merck Manual Professional Version.
Mattke AC, ed. Common illnesses and concerns. Mayo Clinic; McInerny TK, et al. Pharyngitis and tonsillitis. American Academy of Pediatrics; Infectious mononucleosis. Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drutz JE. Acute pharyngitis in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. 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. Examinations and Tests Diagnosis of tonsillitis is based on a medical history and a physical examination of the throat.
Treatment Overview Tonsillitis is most often caused by a virus, which resolves on its own. Tonsillitis caused by a virus Tonsillitis caused by a virus will usually go away on its own. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria Antibiotics are prescribed for tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria.
Surgery Surgical removal of the tonsils tonsillectomy is still a common procedure, particularly for children. Prevention 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: Avoid close contact with others who are sick. If possible, keep your child away from children who are known to have tonsillitis or a sore throat. Often remind your child about the importance of proper handwashing, especially when around people who appear to be sick.
Also tell your child not to share toothbrushes or eating utensils with other children. Wash and disinfect surfaces and toys. Teach children to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, preferably using a tissue so that germs do not get on their hands.
Also show them how to use tissues to wipe their noses. Carry disposable wipes and a hand sanitizer to clean hands and to wipe off shopping carts or other shared items in public places. Do not smoke around your child. Home Treatment The goal of home treatment of tonsillitis caused by a virus is to manage symptoms as the body fights off the infection. Things that may help you or your child feel better include: Gargling often with warm salt water if your child is age 8 or older.
You can make your own salt water by mixing 1 tsp 5 g salt with mL 8 fl oz warm water. Drinking warm or cool liquids whichever feels better. These include tea, soup, juice, and rehydration drinks. Eating flavoured ice pops, such as Popsicles. Getting plenty of rest. Using a vaporizer or humidifier in the bedroom. Using throat lozenges to help relieve sore throat symptoms. But lozenges should not be given to young children because of the risk of choking. Also, many lozenges contain unneeded ingredients that can be potentially harmful.
Medications Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus and does not require prescription medicine. What to think about If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure you take them exactly as directed by your doctor until the medicine is gone. Surgery 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.
Children who are most likely to benefit from tonsillectomy are those who have: 6 or more episodes of tonsillitis in 1 year. Tonsillectomy is more likely to be considered as treatment when some of these episodes result in missing school, trouble sleeping, or having other problems with normal daily life. Tonsillitis lasting longer than 3 months, despite medicine. Obstructed air passages.
Difficulty swallowing. Difficulty talking because of nasal obstruction. Tonsils that bleed heavily. Surgery choices 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.
What to think about Tonsillectomy is still the most common major surgical procedure done on children in Canada. References Citations Cherry JD Pharyngitis pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillopharyngitis, and nasopharyngitis.
In RD Feigin et al. Philadelphia: Saunders. Cherry JD Baugh RF, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Tonsillectomy in children. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Accessed April 14, Isaacson G Tonsillectomy care for the pediatrician.
Pediatrics, 2 : — Using this technique, they can determine whether the cause of the infection is viral or bacterial. They may also carry out a complete blood cell count. This test involves taking a tiny amount of blood to investigate levels of certain types of blood cells. This bloodwork can help a doctor supplement the information they have obtained from the swab.
In some cases, if the swab is inconclusive, a complete blood cell count can help the doctor determine the best treatment. People can use over-the-counter OTC pain relieving medications to numb the symptoms of tonsillitis. If a bacterial infection is causing tonsillitis, a doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics. However, they will not do so for a person with viral tonsillitis. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Penicillin is the most common antibiotic.
When on a course of antibiotics, a person must follow the full course and continue taking them, even if the symptoms have resolved. Stopping a course of antibiotics part of the way through might allow the infection to spread. Rarely, if left untreated, certain types of bacteria may lead to rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation.
Previously, doctors regularly recommended surgery to treat tonsillitis. Today, a doctor will not recommend a tonsillectomy unless the condition is chronic and recurring. Although the tonsils become less active after puberty , they are still a functional organ.
For this reason, a surgeon will not remove them unless necessary. If a tonsillectomy is necessary, doctors can choose from a variety of methods. Medical practitioners have successfully used lasers, radio waves, ultrasonic energy, cold temperatures, or a heated needle to remove the tonsils. Surgery has increasingly become the last port of call. The negative implications of surgery may outweigh the positives of tonsil removal.
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