How to Cure Tonsils Fast

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils – two oval-shaped masses of tissue located at the back of your throat. These tonsils are part of your immune system and act as the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your body through the mouth or nose.

Their primary role is to filter out harmful microorganisms and produce antibodies to help fight infections. However, when these bacteria or viruses overwhelm the immune response, the tonsils can become infected, leading to inflammation and swelling – this condition is known as tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis is especially common in children and may occur occasionally or frequently within a short period.

Types of Tonsillitis

There are three categories of tonsillitis,

• Acute Tonsillitis: Under this category of tonsillitis, the symptoms may be visible for three to four days, but they can go on for up to two weeks.
• Recurrent Tonsillitis: Under this category of tonsillitis, a person can get tonsillitis many times in a year.
• Chronic Tonsillitis: Under this category of tonsillitis, the infection can persist for a really long duration.

Causes of Tonsillitis

Infections caused by both bacteria and viruses can result in tonsillitis. To choose the best course of action, it is imperative that your doctor accurately diagnoses tonsillitis.

Viral Tonsillitis

Numerous viruses can cause inflammation in the tonsils, which can lead to tonsillitis. Some of these viruses can be adenoviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex virus, influenza viruses, enteroviruses, and HIV.

About 70% of cases of tonsillitis are caused by viruses, which are usually more common and less severe than bacterial tonsillitis. Treatment with antibiotics is not recommended for this specific strain of the disease.

Bacterial Tonsillitis

Another common cause of tonsillitis and strep throat is the strep (Streptococcus) bacteria. Sometimes, other bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, can cause inflammation in your tonsils. Usually, antibiotics work well to treat these infections.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis, characterized by inflamed and swollen tonsils, can sometimes be so severe that it becomes difficult to breathe through the mouth, which is the primary sign and symptom. Additional signs include

• Throat discomfort or soreness
• Tonsillitis in red
• The layer of white or yellow on your tonsillitis
• Throat ulcers or painful blisters
• Headache
• Reduced appetite
• An earache
• Stomach ache
• Difficulty swallowing
• Enlarged glands in your jaw or neck
• Chills and a fever
• Poor breath
• Diagnosis of Tonsillitis

Risk Factors for Tonsillitis

Risk factors for acute tonsillitis include:

• The age group between 5 and 15 years old is most susceptible to bacterial tonsillitis, which primarily affects children.
• School-age children frequently come into contact with classmates who have tonsillitis-causing bacteria or viruses.
• Some people are more likely than others to get bacterial tonsillitis again.

Complications from Tonsillitis

Complications are typically limited to bacterial infections. These include:

• A middle ear infection
• A pus-filled mass around your tonsil (peritonsillar abscess).
• Bad breath can result from tiny lumps on your tonsils called tonsil stones.
• Problems with breathing or sporadic breathing while you sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
• Tonsillar cellulitis is an infection that spreads and affects the surrounding tissues.

Tonsillitis Diagnosis

Your doctor will do a physical examination. For example, your tonsillitis will be examined to see whether they are red, swollen, or covered in pus. A fever will also be tested for. In addition, they could check your ears and nose for any indications of infection.

A Throat Swab

Tests may be required to determine the reason for your tonsillitis. Among them is a throat swab. First, your doctor will check your throat cells and saliva for strep bacteria. Then, they will clean the back of your throat using a cotton swab. Typically, results are available in 10 to 15 minutes.

A Blood Test

Your physician can refer to this as a full blood cell count (CBC). For example, a virus or bacterial infection caused by your tonsillitis can be determined by comparing the high and low blood cell counts.

Rash

Your doctor will examine you for scarlet fever, a rash associated with strep throat.

Home Remedies to Cure Tonsillitis

Quick and natural ways to ease throat pain and speed up healing at home.

1. Get Adequate Sleep.

Your child may be able to forget about the pain while getting better more quickly with rest to help them heal from the infected tonsillitis.

2. Drink a Lot of Water

Dehydration during tonsillitis can exacerbate the symptoms of tonsillitis because water makes up 75% of our total body fluids. Therefore, drink lots of water to keep your throat moist and lubricated.

3. Avoid the Hard Foods

Foods that are rough and crunchy should be avoided because they can irritate the throat. Instead, consume warm beverages, like tea, warm water with honey, and soups, to relax your throat. To ease a sore throat, you can also consume cold foods like smoothies, ice cream, and ice popsicles.

4. Gargle With Saltwater

Tonsillitis can be treated quickly with a saltwater gargle. It has been discovered that salt particles can reduce the size of the inflammatory cells through osmosis-draining the water. If the pain associated with tonsillitis bothers you, try gargling with a saltwater solution and spitting it out after a few minutes if the pain persists.

5. Moisten the Air

Inhaling dry air when suffering from tonsillitis may aggravate the painful throat even more. In such circumstances, a cold air humidifier can eliminate the dry air in the space and offer prompt relief from the issue. Another option is to spend an hour or two sitting in a hot restroom.

6. Use Medication Lozenges

There are many prescription throat lozenges that not only aid in warding off infection but also lessen swelling and inflammation. In addition, by acting immediately at the location of the inflammation, lozenges have the advantage of bringing about immediate alleviation.

7. Prevent Irritants

Avoid being around irritants like smog, cigarette smoke, and different household cleaning agents. These irritants can exacerbate tonsillitis symptoms and eventually cause problems.

8. Drink Hot Tea With Honey

Take a warm tea with added honey to immediately relieve a sore throat. Because of its antimicrobial qualities, honey is even able to treat tonsillitis. Additionally, ginger tea might assist in easing sore throats.

9. Utilize Throat Sprays

Adults with tonsillitis can get immediate relief from the condition by using throat sprays containing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties.

10. Do Not Strain Your Voice Harder

Speaking may be challenging for someone with tonsillitis due to irritation and pain in the throat. In addition, anger might increase while speaking with effort. So, try to rest your voice as much as you can.

11. Consuming Cold Food

The throat might become numb from eating cold, soft foods like frozen yoghurt or ice cream, providing momentary pain relief. In addition, people can try the following:

• Consuming popsicles
• Consumption of chilled smoothies
• Drinking icy water
• Other choices include menthol- or mint-flavored hard candies or chewing gum. These components provide the throat with a similar cold and numbing sensation.

Treatment for Tonsillitis

Mild cases of tonsillitis may not always require treatment, especially if the illness is caused by a virus similar to the common cold. The doctor will not give you antibiotics. In seven to ten days, your child should recover. These are the only treatments available if a virus is the likely cause of tonsillitis.

More serious forms of tonsillitis may be treated with antibiotics or with a tonsillectomy. In the event that a bacterial infection is the cause of your tonsillitis, your physician will recommend taking antibiotics. If a tonsillitis sufferer becomes dehydrated, they may also require intravenous fluids.

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat bacterial tonsillitis that is resistant to antibiotics, chronic tonsillitis, or tonsillitis that recurs frequently. Painkillers for sore throats can also be helpful while the throat heals.

Foods to Avoid During Tonsillitis

1. Alcohol
2. Tomatoes and sauces
3. Hard and crunchy foods
4. Greasy food
5. Spicy food
6. Toast
7. Preserved food
8. Citrus fruits and juices
9. Pickles
10. Tobacco

When Should I Visit a Doctor?

If any or all of the following symptoms continue, it’s time for you to visit your physician or an ENT specialist. The following are signs of tonsillitis that need immediate diagnosis. A doctor can typically determine that you have tonsillitis by questioning you about your symptoms and examining the back of your throat. The symptoms are:

• If your tonsils have white pus-filled bumps
• If the sore throat is so uncomfortable, eating and drinking may be difficult.
• If the signs do not disappear in 4 days
• Pain while breathing or swallowing

Changes in Lifestyle to Prevent Infection of Tonsillitis

• Regular Workout
• Don’t consume alcohol
• Stop smoking
• Reduce stress and keep a healthy weight through a balanced diet
• Get enough sleep and maintain good dental and hand hygiene

Conclusion

Inflammation of the tonsils is the hallmark of tonsillitis, which can be caused by either bacteria or viruses. To choose the best course of action for treating your tonsillitis, it is crucial to identify its underlying cause. Although tonsillitis can be highly uncomfortable, it rarely poses a serious risk to life. It typically resolves within a few days with rest, adequate hydration, and, in some cases, medication as directed by a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions