Treatment for tonsillitis can be done with medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or amoxicillin, as they help to reduce pain and inflammation in the throat or eliminate bacteria that may be causing infection.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the throat caused by viruses or bacteria, leading to a sore throat, redness or swelling of the tonsils, difficulty swallowing or fever. See other symptoms of tonsillitis.
The treatment of tonsillitis should always be carried out under the guidance of an otorhinolaryngologist, according to the severity of the symptoms and type of tonsillitis. Furthermore, some measures can help reduce symptoms, such as drinking plenty of water, resting and eating soft foods, for example.
Main treatments
The main treatments for tonsillitis that may be recommended by an otorhinolaryngologist are:
1. Rest
Resting is important to help the immune system fight microorganisms.
Furthermore, physical activities should be avoided, as they reduce the body’s defense, delaying the healing of tonsillitis and increasing the risk of exposure to other infectious agents.
Read too: Tonsillitis: what it is, symptoms, causes, types and treatment
2. Hydration
Hydration is important to keep the body hydrated, especially if you have a fever, which can cause dehydration.
Furthermore, water helps to hydrate and humidify the throat and airways, reduce the viscosity of mucus and reduce throat irritation.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day in small sips. For people who have difficulty drinking water, a good option is to add the juice of half a lemon to the water to add flavor and make it easier to drink.
In cases of viral tonsillitis, this recommendation is especially important, as there is no medicine capable of eliminating the virus, as in cases of bacterial infection.
3. Anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, nimesulide or naproxen, for example, are generally the first treatment option for tonsillitis, especially in cases of viral tonsillitis, as they reduce inflammation of the tonsils, in addition to helping to reduce fever and relieve pain. in the throat. See more about viral tonsillitis.
However, these remedies may also be indicated for the treatment of bacterial tonsillitis, associated with the use of antibiotics.
These remedies must be used with medical advice and can be found in the form of tablets, syrup or drops, for example.
Another anti-inflammatory that may be recommended by your doctor is acetylsalicylic acid, but it should be avoided by children, as it may increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Understand what Reye’s syndrome is.
4. Painkillers
The use of painkillers, such as paracetamol or dipyrone, may be recommended by your doctor to help relieve a sore throat and reduce the fever caused by viral or bacterial tonsillitis.
Make an appointment with an otolaryngologist in the nearest region:
5. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that may be indicated in some cases of acute tonsillitis, as they have a powerful anti-inflammatory action, which helps to alleviate symptoms.
The main corticosteroid that may be indicated is dexamethasone, administered in a single dose, in the form of a tablet or injection into the muscle.
However, these medications are not widely prescribed as they do not considerably reduce the severity and duration of pain compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Furthermore, they have more side effects and should be used with caution in children or people with diabetes, for example.
6. Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be recommended by the doctor in the case of bacterial tonsillitis, as they act to eliminate bacteria, generally of the type Streptococcus e Pneumococos, which cause inflammation in the tonsils. Learn more about bacterial tonsillitis.
Therefore, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics from the penicillin class, such as amoxicillin or amoxicillin+clavulanate, for example.
However, for people allergic to penicillins, other antibiotics may be indicated, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin or clindamycin.
These antibiotics must be used until the end of the pack or for the number of days indicated by the doctor, even if the symptoms have already disappeared, to ensure that the bacteria are completely eliminated and do not become resistant to the medicine.
7. Surgery
Surgery may be recommended by the doctor in cases of chronic or recurrent tonsillitis, with more than 5 episodes of tonsillitis per year.
Furthermore, surgery may also be indicated in the case of bacterial tonsillitis that does not improve with the use of antibiotics.
Tonsillitis surgery, called tonsillectomy, is done to remove the tonsils and recovery can last up to 2 weeks. Normally, you may feel pain during this time, which is why it is recommended to eat softer foods that are easier to swallow.
Treatment for tonsillitis in pregnancy
Treatment for tonsillitis during pregnancy is delicate and should always be evaluated by a doctor who must verify its benefits and risks.
There is no antibiotic that does not have a potential risk for the fetus, however, those that are safest in pregnancy are penicillin and derivatives, such as amoxicillin and cephalexin, or in case of allergies, erythromycin.
During treatment for tonsillitis in pregnant women, the woman should rest throughout the treatment and drink plenty of cold liquids, in addition to taking medication for fever, such as paracetamol, as it is the most recommended for pregnant women. See some natural ways to relieve a sore throat during pregnancy.
Home treatment for tonsillitis
In any case of tonsillitis, during treatment it is recommended:
1. Gargle with warm salt water
Gargling warm water with salt is a great home remedy for tonsillitis, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, helping to soothe a sore throat and remove bacteria that can cause inflammation and infection in the throat.
To gargle with warm salt water, place a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and mix. Gargle several times a day. See other home remedies for tonsillitis.
2. Consume foods that boost immunity
Increasing the consumption of foods, such as acerola, pineapple, strawberries, oranges and tangerines, help strengthen the immune system to combat tonsillitis. Check out the complete list of foods that boost immunity.
This is because these foods are rich in vitamin C, which has antioxidant action, fighting free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to inflammation, and in this way, increase the body’s natural defenses.
3. Drink warm tea
Drinking warm teas helps keep the body warm and hydrate the airways, reducing a sore throat.
Good options are lemon and honey tea or echinacea tea, as they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, in addition to increasing the body’s natural defenses, helping to alleviate tonsillitis symptoms. Check out other benefits of echinacea and how to use it.
4. Eating soft foods
Eating soft foods, such as purees or porridge, helps relieve pain or discomfort when swallowing, which can be caused by swelling and inflammation of the tonsils.
Some pasty food options are mashed potatoes, pumpkin or carrots, or cornstarch porridge, for example. See the complete list of soft foods.
5. Consume foods rich in zinc
Zinc is an important mineral to strengthen the immune system to fight viruses or bacteria.
Therefore, it is recommended to increase your intake of foods rich in zinc, such as cooked chicken or cooked beans, for example. Check out the main foods rich in zinc.
Possible complications
Tonsillitis can cause complications such as:
These complications can occur especially in cases of bacterial tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis.
Therefore, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist as soon as symptoms of tonsillitis appear, to identify its cause and begin the most appropriate treatment.
