- 1. Bacterial tonsillitis
- 2. Viral tonsillitis
- 3. Chronic tonsillitis
- 4. Tonsillitis in pregnancy
- 5. Home treatment for tonsillitis
- Possible complications
The treatment for tonsillitis should always be guided by a general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist, as it varies depending on the type of tonsillitis, which can be bacterial or viral, in which case it must be treated with different types of remedies. However, in most cases the doctor may recommend the use of drugs to lower the fever and relieve sore throat, such as paracetamol, for example.
During treatment for tonsillitis it is important to take measures that can help reduce symptoms and assist in the recovery of the body, such as drinking plenty of water, eating more pasty and icy foods.
It is important to follow the doctor's recommendations, as in some situations the tonsillitis can still become chronic, and it may be necessary to have a longer treatment or even need to have surgery to remove the tonsils. Check when surgery for tonsillitis is indicated.
1. Bacterial tonsillitis
This is the most common type of tonsillitis, which occurs when the throat is infected by bacteria, usually of the Streptococcus and Pneumococcus type, generating symptoms such as severe pain when swallowing and pus in the tonsils. In these cases, it may be necessary to use antibiotics, the most common of which are penicillin, amoxicillin or cephalexin.
However, there are some people with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to these drugs, called beta-lactams and therefore, in these people it is necessary to replace these drugs with azithromycin, clarithromycin or clindamycin.
These antibiotics should be used until the end of the pack or for the number of days indicated by the doctor, even if the symptoms have already disappeared, to ensure that the bacteria are completely eliminated and do not gain resistance to the drug.
In addition, the doctor may also prescribe analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, respectively, to relieve discomfort during treatment, such as pain when swallowing or headache. Also see some home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis.
2. Viral tonsillitis
In cases of viral tonsillitis, there is no drug capable of eliminating the virus, as in cases of infection by bacteria, so it is up to the body itself to eliminate the virus. To facilitate this work, you should keep your home at rest, drink at least 2 liters of water a day and take supplements with vitamin C, echinacea and zinc, which strengthen the immune system.
As with bacterial tonsillitis, the doctor may also recommend the use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to reduce headache and sore throat, facilitating recovery.
3. Chronic tonsillitis
The treatment for chronic tonsillitis is also done with the use of antibiotic drugs, as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and you should always return to the doctor whenever a relapse occurs.
When chronic tonsillitis arises, surgery to remove the tonsils may be recommended, which is usually done under general anesthesia, but the person can return home the same day. Recovery from this surgery can take up to 2 weeks and you can usually feel pain during that time, so it is recommended to eat more pasty foods that are easier to swallow.
Watch the following video and learn what to eat during the recovery period from surgery:
4. Tonsillitis in pregnancy
The treatment for tonsillitis in pregnant women is delicate and should always be evaluated by the doctor who must check its benefits and risks. There is no antibiotic that does not have a potential risk to the fetus, however, those that are safer in pregnancy are penicillin and derivatives, such as amoxicillin and cephalexin, or in case of allergy, erythromycin.
During treatment for tonsillitis in the pregnant woman, the woman must maintain rest during the entire treatment and ingest plenty of cold fluids, in addition to taking medicines for fever, such as paracetamol, as it is the most recommended for pregnant women.
5. Home treatment for tonsillitis
In any case of tonsillitis, during treatment it is recommended:
- Rest while you have a fever; Drink about 2 liters of water a day; Eat warm or cold pasty foods; Drink liquid without gas, so that it no longer irritates the throat.
In addition, juices rich in vitamin C can be taken to help strengthen the immune system such as orange, pineapple or kiwi juice and it is also recommended to drink echinacea tea throughout the day, as it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis. Check out other benefits of echinacea and learn how to use it.
Possible complications
It is important to consult a general practitioner or otolaryngologist if you have symptoms of tonsillitis and if the diagnosis is confirmed, medical recommendations should be followed, because if not treated properly, tonsillitis can cause complications such as rheumatic fever, which occurs mainly in children and adolescents., between 5 and 15 years, and the symptoms of this condition appear 2 to 3 weeks after the onset of tonsillitis. See what are the symptoms of rheumatic fever.
In addition, the release of substances during tonsillitis can cause scarlet fever, which is a disease that is characterized by symptoms such as red spots on the body, rough skin, presence of water in the neck, vomiting and fever, so if these symptoms appear it is It is necessary to seek medical attention again as soon as possible.
