Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a tonsils infection in the back throat. It’s not that rare, children are likely to develop it, but there are chances for adults to develop one.
Tonsillitis symptoms
The primary symptoms of tonsillitis among both children and adults are:
- Sore throat
- Hard to swallow
- High in temperature
- Coughing
- Headache
- Sickness
- Earache
- Tiredness
Severe symptoms are:
- Painful swollen gland in your neck
- White pus spots on your tonsils
- Bad breath
How long can tonsillitis last?
The symptoms of tonsillitis are more likely to last for 3 or 4 days, but there are not contagious. However, the symptoms may lead to infections that cause cold or flu. To stop the spreading of the infections:
- High temperature or not feeling well, try to stay in and avoid contact with other people until getting better.
- Use tissue while coughing or sneezing, and make sure you dispose of them.
- Wash your hands regularly after a cough or sneeze.
Tonsillitis self-treatments
- Get a lot of rest
- Drink a moderate amount of cool drink to soothe the throat
- Gargle water with some salt
Tonsillitis treatments
- Often for both children and adults, it will clear up on its own
- For bacterial tonsillitis, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics depending on the test results
- In severe tonsillitis cases, a doctor might suggest surgery to remove the tonsils away. But these scenarios are rare
Tonsillitis emergency
Call for immediate help if:
- Having severe throat pain that gets worse very quick
- Difficulties in swallowing, speaking, or breathing
- Finding it hard to open your mouth
- Swelling inside your throat or mouth
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022