Tonsil infections cause sore throats, difficulty swallowing and even bad breath. A person's tonsils are two clusters of tissue located on the left and right sides of the back of the throat. Tonsils protect the body by trapping germs from entering through the mouth and throat. MayoClinic.com reports that most tonsil infections are caused by bacteria or viral infections. Signs of infection include tonsils coated with a white or gray substance, swollen neck glands and fever. Removing tonsils was once a common surgical procedure; however, modern treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and diagnosing the underlying cause, advises MayoClinic.com. Still, surgery is an option if the infection does not resolve.
Home Remedies
Hydration and comfort are key when treating tonsil infections. A person is advised to keep the throat moist by drinking extra liquids. A sore throat can be soothed by eating ice pops or drinking hot tea, milk and honey or chicken broth. MayoClinic.com recommends gargling with salt water to cleanse the mouth and temporarily relieve pain to the throat. A salt water rinse is created by mixing together 1 tsp. of salt with a glass of warm water and stirring well. The solution should be gargled in the back of their throat, and then spit out. Hard sugar-free candy or sore throat lozenges can relieve an irritated sore throat. KidsHealth.gov advises that the drinking glasses and eating utensils of the infected person be kept separate from those of healthy family members to avoid the spread of infection.
Medications
Antibiotics are prescribed if the condition is caused by a bacterial infection. A step test or throat culture is performed to determine the cause of the infection. Penicillin is the most often prescribed antibiotic medication for tonsillitis, according to MayoClinic.com. Antibiotic therapy lasts for 10 days. Patients should always take all prescribed medications even if symptoms of the infection have disappeared. A viral infection will not respond to antibiotic therapy, and will often clear itself within seven to 10 days, according to MayoClinic.com. Pain and fever are reduced by taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Surgery
Surgery is recommended if frequent tonsillitis occurs. A frequent infection is defined by MayoClinic.com as more than six outbreaks a year, more than four outbreaks a year over two years, or more than three outbreaks a year over three years. If complications related to tonsillitis occur, such as sleep apnea or difficulty breathing, surgery is recommended. Removal of the tonsils is done as an outpatient procedure--the patient goes home the same day as the surgery. Between seven and 10 days are required for recovery.
