In most cases, tonsillitis gets better within a week. However, a small number of children and adults have tonsillitis for longer, or it keeps returning. This is known as chronic tonsillitis and surgical treatment may be needed.
If tonsillitis is left untreated, a complication can develop called a peritonsillar abscess. This is an area around the tonsils that's filled with bacteria, and it can cause these symptoms: Severe throat pain. Muffled voice.
For tonsillitis caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not recommended, says Dr. Clark. “The infection would typically resolve itself within five to seven days without any intervention,” he says.
Get advice from 111 now if you have:
pus-filled spots on your tonsils. a sore throat so painful it's difficult to eat or drink.
In most cases, tonsillitis symptoms go away in three to four days. But if symptoms last longer, you should schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to rule out other, more serious issues.
Tonsillitis usually has to run its course. To help ease the symptoms you should: get plenty of rest.
Visible swelling in the throat. Viral sore throats will often be red and swollen at the back of the mouth, but there shouldn't be red and white specks like there would be with a bacterial infection.
Possible complications of tonsillitis include: a middle ear infection (otitis media) – where fluid between the eardrum and inner ear becomes infected by bacteria. quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) – an abscess (collection of pus) that develops between one of the tonsils and the wall of the throat.
Tonsillitis usually improves on its own after around a week. It's most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help. Even if it's a bacterial infection, it will often settle without antibiotics. You can ease your symptoms with self-help measures and over-the-counter medicines.
Symptoms typically get worse over 2-3 days and then gradually go, usually within a week. The picture below shows inflamed tonsils. Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is caused by a virus (the Epstein-Barr virus).
If you experience shortness of breath or feel like you can't catch your breath, seek emergency medical attention right away. Severe pain: Tonsillitis can be painful, but if the pain is severe and not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication, it may require emergency medical attention.
Strep throat, which is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.
Smoking can make tonsillitis worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good. Use a vapourizer or humidifier to add moisture to your bedroom.
Tonsillitis Can Cause Peritonsillar Abscess
If strep throat or tonsillitis does not go away (either on their own or with tonsillitis treatment), either type of infection can progress into an infection called tonsillar cellulitis.
RELATED: What Causes Tonsillitis
If your sore throat seems to keep getting worse (or has not improved after about three days), you're in a lot of pain when you eat or drink, or you have a fever of at least 101 degrees F, you'll want to see your doctor to get it checked out, Dr.
Glandular fever (also knowns as infectious mononucleosisis, or “mono”) is an infection caused by the Epstein Barr virus, a kind of herpes. It usually causes an illness much like tonsillitis, although the symptoms may be more severe and last for a longer period of time.
Tonsil stones look like small white or pale yellow bumps on your tonsils. Usually they're the size of gravel or slightly larger. They can smell foul and cause bad breath. Other typical symptoms include: sore throat, the sensation of something being stuck in the back of your throat, and problems swallowing.
Tonsillitis and strep throat are similar illnesses that affect the inside of the throat and surrounding tissue. They also share many of the same symptoms, including sore throat, headache, fatigue, and fever. Because tonsillitis and strep throat are so similar, it can be difficult to tell them apart.
You can feel very poorly if you have tonsillitis.
Your tonsils may get bigger and you may see white pus on them. Sometimes tonsillitis can become a more serious infection where you will need to be treated in hospital. This is called a peritonsillar abscess (quinsy).
Most adults have a lot of throat pain for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. The pain may get worse before it gets better. The pain in your throat can also make your ears hurt. You may have good days and bad days.
While tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, you can still spread the viruses or bacteria that have caused it. The infection is usually spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing or through touching contaminated surfaces.