1. Get an Accurate Diagnosis
There are many types of tonsillitis: viral, allergic, bacterial or irritant-induced (such as from smoke exposure). Most types are self-limiting, meaning that even without treatment, the body will recover in time. However, strep throat, which is caused by streptococcal bacteria, may pose risks. The antibodies your body manufactures to fight this bacteria may accumulate in your kidneys or testicles, where they can harm you. For this reason, people suffering from sore throats should undergo a throat culture to rule out streptococcus as the cause and to prevent complications from tonsillitis.
2. Treat Strep Throat Aggressively
If you are diagnosed with streptococcal tonsillitis, treat the condition aggressively. Incompletely treated, lingering infections can form large amounts of the antigen-antibody complexes that can injure the testicles and cause orchitis, which can lead to sterility in men, or injure the kidneys and lead to glomerulonephritis. Penicillin or other antibiotics are commonly prescribed, but an experienced herbalist or alternative-medicine expert may be able to treat streptococcal infections effectively with herbal and nutritional supplements. However, it is advisable to see a clinician for any severe sore throat, or for unusual redness, swelling, pus or odor in the tonsils.
3. Treat Tonsilitis Complications
Following a sore throat, see a physician if you notice any of the following symptoms: swelling or tenderness in the testicles, painful urination or a change in the appearance of your urine. Your doctor can run blood tests to check for a streptococcal phenomena that may be injuring your internal organs.
You can reduce your chances of developing such complications by treating all simple colds and sore throats with echinacea and Vitamin C. See a physician if minor symptoms worsen or do not clear up within a day or two. Avoid sugar and dairy products if you have a cold or sore throat, as these foods can support undesirable bacteria and slow recovery time. Aromatic culinary herbs such as thyme, sage, oregano and rosemary may act as antimicrobials and may dry respiratory congestion or pus in your tonsils. You can prepare these herbs in a tea by using 1 tablespoon per cup of hot water, or you can purchase herbal tinctures from health food stores.
Eating garlic, onions and ginger also may offer natural antibiotic support, speed the resolution of simple colds and sore throats and may reduce the likelihood of streptococcal complications. Add these spicy foods to your diet or purchase pills or capsules containing them from a health food store.
