Tonsillitis?

Question

Has anyone ever had Tonsillitis? Yesterday my Doctor said that I have it because I went in complaining about feeling somehting in the back of my throat. He put me on penicillin. Does anyone know how long it usually takes before the penicillin kicks in and my tonsills go back to normal? I hate this feeling of somehting in my throat.

Answer 1

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever.

Symptoms may include pain in the tonsil area and inability to swallow and/or painful swallowing, white spots may also appear on the tonsils.

Tonsillitis may be caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria, resulting in strep throat. Most tonsillitis, however, is viral in origin, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of glandular fever) or the Coxsackie virus. Sometimes, tonsillitis, is caused by a superinfection of spirochaeta and treponema, in this case called Vincent's angina or Plaut-Vincent angina.

Treatment consists of painkillers and fluids; if caused by 'bacteria' then antibiotics are also prescribed. Usually penicillin, or erythromycin if the patient is allergic to penicillin. Amoxicillin should not be used because if mononucleosis is mistaken as tonsillitis and amoxicillin is given, a rash might develop.

In many cases of tonsilitis, the pain caused by the inflamed tonsils warrants the prescription of topical anesthetics for temporary relief. Viscous lidocaine solutions are often prescribed for this purpose.

When tonsillitis is caused by a virus, the length of illness depends on which virus is involved. Usually, a complete recovery is made within one week, however some rare infections may last for up to two weeks.

In chronic cases tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) may be indicated.

An abscess may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a peritonsillar abscess (or quinsy). It is believed that the first president of the United States, George Washington, died as a result of this complication.

Rarely the infection may spread beyond the tonsil resulting in inflammation and infection of the internal jugular vein giving rise to a spreading septicaemia infection (Lemierre's syndrome).

In chronic/recurrent cases (generally defined as seven episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding year, five episodes in each of the preceding two years or three episodes in each of the preceding three years)[2][3][4], or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are certainly still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.

When bacteria that collects on the tonsils consume mucus that has pooled in pits (referred to as "crypts") in the tonsils, a whitish-yellow deposit known as a tonsillolith is produced. These "tonsil stones" emit a very pungent odor due to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds.

Tonsilloliths (or tonsil stones) which occur in the crypts of the tonsils can only be completely cured by tonsillectomy or by resurfacing the tonsil by laser, but practicing good oral hygeine and use of a water-pick may help lessen the symptoms. It is still possible to get tonsiloliths after removal of the tonsils unless a complete tonsillectomy is performed.

Hypertrophy of the tonsils can result in snoring, mouth breathing, disturbed sleep, and obstructive sleep apnea, during which the patient stops breathing and experiences a drop in the oxygen content in the bloodstream. A tonsillectomy can be curative.

In very rare cases, diseases like rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis can occur. These complications are extremely rare in developed nations but remain a significant problem in poorer nations.

http://www.thelymphnodes.com/tonsillitis/index.php

Answer 2

The "something in the back of your throat" is most likely your swollen tonsils. Tonsils are lymph tissue, and when they become infected you get tonsillitis. Sometimes you even have what they call "pus pockets" (wouldn't that be a great name for a rock/metal band??) on them. Usually within 2 to 3 days you will see improvement from the antibiotic, if the offending orgainsm is responsive to it. The important thing is to take ALL of the antibiotic, until it's gone - don't stop when you feel better as you can have a relapse if you don't.

Answer 3

I have had tonsillitis and yes it is not a good feeling. If you have been given antibiotics, you should start to feel better within a day or so. It doesn't give instant relief. Time and lots of fluids will help the process along. Good luck.

Answer 4

3-5 days. Use your antibiotics til they're all gone, not just until you feel better.

And, I had recurring tonsillitis and eventually had to have my tonsils removed...painful but worth it.

Answer 5

Good that you took medication before it got worse. I had bad cases when I was a kid and it was painful and couldn't eat. At least it is not painful in yr case...bear with it for a few days

Answer 6

I had in years ago and I remember that it lasted about 1 week (kinda like having the flu). I know, it sucks. Hopefully, you'll recover quickly. The antibiotics should do the trick. ;-)

Answer 7

i want to ask some questions about Tonsillectomy?

Answer 8

Everyone is different.