Treatment FAQ

what if tonsil swelling doesn't go away after treatment

by Kody Koelpin DVM Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Tonsils are an important part of your immune system, so your doctor will try to help you keep them. But if your tonsillitis keeps coming back or won't go away, or if swollen tonsils make it hard for you to breathe or eat, you might need to have your tonsils taken out. This surgery is called tonsillectomy.Aug 25, 2020

Do swollen tonsils go away on their own?

Most cases of swollen tonsils will go away on their own after a few days. OTC medications and home remedies can help alleviate some symptoms. A person should see a doctor if the swollen tonsils...

What causes tonsils to swell without pain?

It may also be caused by a number of other conditions, including GERD, postnasal drip, and seasonal allergies. Children with abnormally shaped palates may also have swollen tonsils without pain. Tonsils can be different sizes in different people, especially children.

Should I talk to my doctor about a swollen tonsil?

If you have one swollen tonsil that doesn’t go away on its own or with antibiotics, talk to your doctor. Other possible symptoms of tonsil cancer include: Your doctor will want to determine the root cause of your condition. They’ll check for infection by using a lighted instrument to look down your throat.

What are the treatments for swollen tonsils?

If your swollen tonsils are caused by a virus, home remedies may alleviate your discomfort and help you heal. Things to try include: The viruses and bacteria responsible for swollen tonsils are contagious. To prevent the spread of these germs: Avoid physical or close contact with people who are sick.

How long do tonsils stay swollen after antibiotics?

Tonsillitis usually improves two or three days after treatment starts. The infection usually goes away too, but some people may need to take antibiotics for longer.

What happens if antibiotics don't fix tonsillitis?

If test results show that your tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, a short course of oral antibiotics may be prescribed. If oral antibiotics aren't effective at treating bacterial tonsillitis, intravenous antibiotics (given directly into a vein) may be needed in hospital.

What does it mean if tonsillitis doesn't go away?

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.

How long till swelling goes down after tonsillitis?

Symptoms will usually go away after 3 to 4 days. Tonsillitis is not contagious, but most of the infections that cause it are, for example, colds and flu.

Can tonsillitis last for months?

Most viral tonsillitis tends to last a matter of days; strep tonsillitis for up to a couple of weeks, and tonsillitis caused by mononucleosis commonly lasts for weeks or months. Sometimes bacterial tonsillitis will last for months, even with appropriate antibacterial therapy.

What is best antibiotic for tonsillitis?

Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus.

What do cancerous tonsils look like?

The most common symptom of tonsil cancer, one they enlarge, is asymmetrical tonsils followed by a persistent sore throat. In later stages, individuals may have ear pain and enlarged lymph nodes. Tonsil cancer can develop as squamous cell carcinoma or other rare cancers such as lymphoma or sarcoma.

Why is one tonsil swollen and not the other?

What causes one swollen tonsil? If you've noticed only one seemingly swollen tonsil on your child (or yourself), it could be a peritonsillar abscess. A peritonsillar abscess forms at the back of the mouth and manifests as a pus-filled tissue next to one tonsil.

Why are my tonsils swollen but no pain?

Tonsil increases and decreases in size during and after infection and that is normal. It can remain big without symptoms and shrink with old age. If infected it can cause throat pain, fever, ear pain etc. So do not worry if it does not cause you these symptoms.

Can tonsillitis come back after antibiotics?

Recurrent tonsillitis may be diagnosed if a person has tonsillitis multiple times in a year. At first, the infections may respond well to antibiotics. But some people still experience frequent tonsil infections.

Why is only one of my tonsils swollen?

A person may experience swelling on just one side of the throat if only one tonsil is infected. People can take antibiotics to treat severe bacterial tonsilitis infections. However, if they experience tonsillitis more than five times in a year, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tonsils.

Why is my tonsillitis getting worse?

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. Clark says.

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