Sour, pickled, or brined foods: Foods made with vinegar or salt, such as pickles, can worsen the inflammation of a sore throat. Tomato juice and sauces: The acidic nature of tomatoes can make them a poor choice for people with sore throats.
Spicy foods can irritate the already inflamed tonsils and make the condition worse. Acidic foods (such as tomatoes or citrus fruits) can further aggravate the condition and cause more pain. Dairy products can increase mucus production and make it difficult to swallow. Rough or dry foods (such as crackers or chips)
Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.
If you have an infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria or an immune system that doesn't work correctly, you may develop chronic tonsillitis. You may also have an increased risk of developing chronic tonsillitis if you have been exposed to radiation.
Bacterial tonsillitis can sometimes lead to a build-up of pus on or around your tonsils. This is called a peritonsillar abscess or quinsy. If you have a peritonsillar abscess, you may have very bad pain in your throat, often worse on one side.
Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.
Gargling with salt water, taking medicated lozenges, consuming cold food, and drinking plenty of fluids can help in getting relief from tonsillitis in adults immediately.
Most cases of viral tonsillitis clear up in a few days with fluids and plenty of rest. Antibiotics usually eliminate bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat) in about 10 days. Tonsillitis usually doesn't cause any serious or lasting health problems.
There's a widely believed myth that dairy products, like ice cream and milk, make cold symptoms worse by increasing phlegm. While milk may make your mucus thicker (sorry for the imagery), it definitely won't increase mucus production.
Ice Cream. Cold foods like ice cream “can be particularly good because they help soothe the sore throat and may even reduce the inflammation,” Dr. Favini says. Just remember not to go too buck wild with the sugar.
Dairy can be acidic, so it may irritate your sore throat. Sometimes, dairy can thicken mucus, so it's best to avoid cheese and other forms of dairy if your sore throat is due to an upper respiratory infection. Aim for softer, non-acidic foods while your throat is hurting.
The following tips may help your throat feel better: Drink cold liquids or suck on fruit-flavored frozen bars. Drink fluids, and mostly warm (not hot), bland fluids. Gargle with warm salt water.
Gargling salt water seems to be the go-to remedy for sore throat. All you have to do is mix and dissolve table salt at about ¼ to ½ teaspoon with 4 to 8 ounces of warm water. You can prepare this antiseptic solution anytime, given that salt and water are typically available in the kitchen.
The symptoms of tonsillitis usually get better after three to four days. If you have tonsillitis that's caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu, your symptoms may be milder.
(It may take three to five days for those people to recover without medication, he adds.) 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.
Some people believe you should avoid consuming milk and other dairy products when you have a cold or sore throat because they create mucus that can make symptoms worse. To date, the evidence supporting the claim is mixed, with some suggesting that milk has no effect and others inferring that it may in some cases.
Some people swear by a folksy remedy of Coca-Cola as a sore throat healer. Others combine it with lemon and ginger for a sore throat. Still many say drinking soda while sick isn't a good idea because it can dehydrate at a time when more fluids are best.
Tonsillitis isn't contagious but the infections that cause it are (for example, colds and flu). To stop these infections from spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better.
Quinsy can endanger health and even your life if left untreated. This throat condition is often mistaken for tonsillitis but even though it has similar symptoms it is much worse than this. It causes problems with swallowing and in the worse case scenario can result in a condition called aspiration.