How is tonsillitis treated?
In the vast majority of people, infection caused by a virus infection need only be treated with paracetamol (eg Calpol, Panadol) to bring the temperature down. Aspirin (eg Disprin) is also useful, but should not be given to children under 16 years of age, unless on the advise of a doctor.
In a small minority of patients, tonsillitis caused by bacteria is treated with penicillin or erythromycin (eg Erythroped) if the person is allergic to penicillin. If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important to complete the full course, or the infection may not be cured.
Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be necessary for those patients suffering from repeated, severe infections that refuse to respond to treatment and significantly interfere with their school or work schedule but it is now a relatively uncommon operation compared to previous practice.
Gargle every 2 to 3 hours with mint mouthwash. Be sure to get the mouthwash onto the back of your throat. See "How to Gargle."
Take aspirin if you are an adult, acetaminophen if you are a child. Suck on throat lozenges, especially those containing phenol, which help to numb the throat.
Stay hydrated. Drink iced beverages or suck on flavored ice.. Frozen liquids help numb the throat. Try hot teas with honey, and clear soups. For some people, warm beverages help relieve the pain of tonsillitis better than cold ones do.
Get plenty of rest.
Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants.
Check your temperature at least twice a day. If you have a continuous fever, even a low-grade one of 99 degrees F, lasting more than two days, see your doctor. Tonsillitis or acute sore throat pain that lasts more than 48 hours, especially if accompanied by a fever, may be symptomatic of a strep infection, which requires treatment.
Let your doctor take a throat culture to identify the germs in your throat.
Ask about antibiotics, if your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria. Penicillin G is frequently prescribed.
Consider a tonsillectomy for persistent tonsillitis and sore throats.
