How tonsillitis is treated depends on the cause and progression. Painkillers, for example, can help relieve the pain. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids and rest. Antibiotics are usually used for bacterial tonsillitis. If complications arise, hospital treatment may be necessary. Learn more about the treatment of tonsillitis here. The treatment of tonsillitis depends on its cause, severity, and whether it has occurred repeatedly. Home remedies for tonsillitis primarily help with simple symptoms such as a mild sore throat. In conventional medicine, doctors usually prescribe painkillers. These are also generally effective against any fever that may occur. Antibiotics are also used for bacterial tonsillitis. For chronic or frequently recurring tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) may be the most effective long-term solution to prevent repeated infections and restore throat health.

What You Can Do Yourself to Treat Tonsillitis

Gargle

What you can do yourself to treat tonsillitis

Pain is the most bothersome symptom of tonsillitis, especially in the first few days. Initially, you can try to relieve the pain with measures such as neck wraps or special lozenges. Some sufferers find relief from antiseptic and locally anesthetic gargles or sprays available from the pharmacy. If these measures aren’t enough, you can try over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. These medications have analgesic and antipyretic effects; some also have anti-inflammatory effects. However, you should only use these substances if you are not allergic to the active ingredients.

A notice

If you are pregnant or have a chronic illness, such as kidney, heart, or liver disease, or if you have known stomach problems, allergies, or blood-clotting disorders, you should only take this medication after consulting a doctor! Paracetamol is also not recommended for mononucleosis (EBV infection), as it places additional strain on the liver.

If, despite rest and gentle support, your immune system is unable to eliminate the disease-causing viruses or bacteria, or if your tonsillitis is very severe, you should consult a doctor. If other symptoms occur, you should also seek medical advice.

Treatment for bacterial tonsillitis

If the doctor can confirm streptococcal tonsillitis or if it is very likely, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics, primarily of the penicillin V type. Those who cannot tolerate this active ingredient will be given other antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), which are also effective against streptococci. Other antibiotics are only used if the pathogenic bacteria have become insensitive (resistant) to the standard active ingredients or if the patient cannot take the latter.

 Antibiotics must be taken

It’s important to remember that antibiotics must be taken for as long as your doctor has prescribed them. Don’t stop taking them prematurely—even if symptoms improve beforehand! Some bacteria may still be present in your body, which can then trigger another infection or develop resistance to the antibiotic.

Danger

Resistant bacterial strains can develop with any antibiotic therapy. Therefore, antibiotics should not be used prophylactically for tonsillitis but should only be considered if a bacterial cause is proven or highly likely.

Treatment for viral tonsillitis

Antibiotics only work against bacteria, so they are not used for viral infections. Doctors only use them for viral tonsillitis if a bacterial infection has also occurred on the affected mucous membranes (superinfection). Treatment for viral tonsillitis is therefore usually limited to treating symptoms such as fever and pain. In addition to pain medication, home remedies and physical rest can also accelerate the recovery process.

Danger

Physical rest is especially important during infections. Even initially harmless illnesses can cause potentially life-threatening myocarditis if excessive exercise is applied.

In mononucleosis, internal organs (spleen, liver) can swell, and there is a risk of a ruptured spleen. This complication is life-threatening and requires hospitalization. Therefore, physical rest is extremely important.

Chronic tonsillitis: What to do?

Chronic tonsillitis occurs when the tonsil tissue becomes repeatedly inflamed or the inflammation never completely subsides. Either dead germ material accumulates in the crypts of the tonsils, causing persistent inflammation. Or acute infections occur repeatedly. The deposited cell material often serves as an ideal breeding ground for the pathogens. Doctors refer to recurring tonsillitis as recurrent tonsillitis. You can learn more about the symptoms and treatment of chronic tonsillitis in the article Chronic Tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis: When is surgery performed?

If tonsillitis occurs frequently, the tonsils are often removed completely. This procedure, called a tonsillectomy, is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in Germany. Surgeons remove the tonsils either using heat (e.g., laser treatment, radiofrequency device) or with scissors or a loop. Another option is partial removal of the tonsils (tonsillotomy). This is somewhat less painful than complete tonsil removal. However, it is not certain how effective a tonsillotomy is in preventing recurrent tonsillitis in the long term.

If you’re suffering from recurring throat infections or considering a tonsillectomy, consult an experienced ENT specialist West Yorkshire for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Book your consultation today to ensure the best care for your throat health.

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