However, adults can get tonsillitis too. Frequent exposure to people increases the risk of encountering someone with the infection. As a result, taking public transportation or doing other activities alongside many people may increase your chance of being exposed to tonsillitis.
Symptoms of tonsillitis and treatments are similar for both adults and kids. Learn what to do if you develop tonsillitis as an adult. A number of different bacteria or viruses can cause tonsillitis, including group A streptococcus bacteria. This same bacteria is the only cause of strep throat.
Both conditions are contagious, so you should try to stay away from other people if you think you have either one. Your doctor can use the same tests to diagnose both conditions. Treatments for bacterial tonsillitis and strep throat are also similar. Learn more about the differences between tonsillitis and strep throat. People who experience chronic tonsillitis may start to experience obstructive sleep apnea.
This happens when the airways swell and prevents a person from sleeping well, which can lead to other medical issues if left untreated.
This is known as tonsillar cellulitis. The infection can also cause a person to develop a buildup of pus behind the tonsils, called a peritonsillar abscess. This can require drainage and surgery. These include rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. To decrease your risk of getting tonsillitis, stay away from people who have active infections. Ensure you and your child practice good hygiene habits. Wash your hands often, especially after coming into contact with someone who has a sore throat, or is coughing or sneezing.
Swollen tonsils may cause difficulty breathing, which can lead to disturbed sleep. Tonsillitis left untreated can result in the infection spreading to the area behind the tonsils or to the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection usually improve a few days after you begin taking antibiotics.
Learn about what foods are good to eat and what foods to avoid if you have a sore throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. We explain the common signs, diagnostic tests, treatment…. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and nose.
Get the facts on causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. White spots on the tonsils have several possible causes.
Learn more about causes and treatments. Tonsillitis can be caused by various viruses or bacteria. Strep throat is only caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which are located in the back of your throat. Sometimes they can become infected. Use this guide to help decide whether or not your child should take a sick day from school.
Z-Pack is a form of Zithromax, a brand-name version of the antibiotic azithromycin. Learn about Z-pack for strep throat here.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Tonsillitis symptoms. Acute tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis. Recurrent tonsillitis. When to see a doctor. Is tonsillitis contagious? You may not have any symptoms but still have the strep bacteria. You can pass these bacteria on to another person. A complication of tonsillitis is an area around the tonsils filled with bacteria. This is called a peritonsillar abscess. You may have these symptoms:.
The symptoms of tonsillitis may look like other conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and do a physical exam.
Your provider may do a strep test if he or she thinks the infection is caused by strep bacteria. Or your provider may do this test to rule out strep as the cause. To do this test, your provider will take a swab of your tonsils. Tonsillitis caused by a virus is treated differently from tonsillitis caused by bacteria. Your healthcare provider may give you antibiotic medicine for tonsillitis caused by bacteria. He or she may give you antiviral medicine to treat tonsillitis caused by a virus.
If your tonsillitis comes back again and again, your provider may recommend surgery. The surgery will remove your tonsils. You may need treatment right away if you develop a peritonsillar abscess. This is because the abscess may block your airway. Wash your hands regularly.
Good general hygiene practices will go a long way in keeping your friends and family healthy. Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom. Do not share personal items, such as spoons, with other people. Apply hand sanitizer to your hands every time you cough, sneeze or touch your mouth, nose or face.
If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze, make sure you do so into the crook of your elbow or a tissue. Promptly dispose of any used tissues. You should also wipe down surfaces in the home that you have touched with a disinfectant wipe. If tonsillitis is caused by a virus such as the common cold, not a lot can be done to treat it. The best you can hope for is symptom relief through at-home remedies. These remedies include:. If you suffer from bacterial tonsillitis, antibiotics are the most common form of relief.
If you suffer from chronic or recurring tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy is often required. Tonsillectomy refers to a medical procedure in which the tonsils are removed from the throat. This relief method is usually only recommended for people struggling with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. Alternatively, it may be recommended if symptoms do not improve with home care or if tonsillitis is causing serious complications.
Although rare, it is possible for your tonsils to grow back after they have been removed. If this occurs and you suffer from tonsillitis again, you may need to have your tonsils removed again. It is also important to note that while a tonsillectomy is a guaranteed method for preventing tonsillitis, it is only an effective way to reduce your risk of developing strep throat. Remember, your tonsils are designed to prevent throat infection.
It is possible to get strep throat without tonsils. Antibiotics are only prescribed for tonsillitis when it is caused by a bacterial infection. Antibiotics will provide rapid symptom relief and, after 24 hours, prevent you from spreading the infection to others. Never take an antibiotic for viral tonsillitis. It is ineffective and increases your risk of antibiotic resistance and gastrointestinal distress.
The most common antibiotic prescribed for tonsillitis is penicillin. Let us know during your appointment if you are allergic to penicillin so we can offer you an alternative antibiotic. It is absolutely critical that you take your entire course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Even if your symptoms disappear completely, you run the risk of the infection getting worse if you deviate from the instructions provided to you. Moreover, you may suffer from other complications, such as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis or rheumatic fever.
Never hesitate to reach out if you feel you need additional medical care. Unfortunately, one strain of bacteria that causes tonsillitis can also cause strep throat. Like tonsillitis, strep throat is contagious, so you want to stay home until your symptoms are gone. You may have both tonsillitis and strep throat if you are experiencing the symptoms of tonsillitis along with:.
The same tests used to diagnose tonsillitis can accurately diagnose strep throat. Therefore, you will not need two separate treatments for the two illnesses.
If you suffer from chronic tonsillitis, you are at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.
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