What does suppurative tonsillitis look like?

Written by Du Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Purulent tonsillitis refers to the acute purulent inflammation of the tonsils, which include the palatine tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils, and tubal tonsils. This text specifically refers to the palatine tonsils. The main cause is bacterial infection, with bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. On examination, purulent tonsillitis can be identified by enlarged tonsils with pus points on the surface. Patients may experience throat pain, fever, and sometimes accompanying symptoms such as cough and a foreign body sensation in the throat. The treatment of acute suppurative tonsillitis primarily involves penicillin and second-generation cephalosporins, and timely and effective treatment can lead to significant relief of symptoms.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What to eat with suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis is a relatively common ENT disease with numerous clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include sore throat and swallowing obstruction; some patients may also experience fever or breathing difficulties. It is recommended to eat a light diet, with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits, such as lettuce, radishes, cabbage, apples, pears, and peaches. It is also advised to avoid spicy, stimulating foods and seafood. Treatment is generally medication-based, commonly involving antibiotics for infection, such as cephalosporins or penicillin antibiotics. Regular follow-up exams are necessary to monitor the effects. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How is suppurative tonsillitis caused?

The acute onset of suppurative tonsillitis is commonly due to a weakened immune system, which then leads to bacterial infection and thus suppurative tonsillitis. For example, getting chilled or getting caught in the rain, or having a persistent cold. Other common causes include irritation from smoking and alcohol environments, spicy foods, and staying up late. Also, if there is some chronic inflammation in the tonsils, these adverse stimuli make it easier to trigger this type of suppurative inflammation. Therefore, in addition to maintaining a normal routine in daily life, it is also important to check for the presence of chronic tonsillitis. If chronic tonsillitis is present, it's crucial to choose a proper opportunity for surgical treatment, which means performing surgery when it is not in an acute phase, to prevent the recurrence of suppurative inflammation.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can suppurative tonsillitis heal itself?

Purulent tonsillitis is a relatively severe acute infectious inflammation of the tonsils, clinically characterized by severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing, even leading to difficulty in eating. The pain worsens during swallowing, and patients may experience symptoms like chills and fever. Therefore, purulent tonsillitis generally cannot heal on its own and requires active intervention. Active anti-infection treatment is necessary, as it cannot be expected to resolve spontaneously. Clinical treatment primarily involves the use of antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, and may even include infusion and other anti-infection treatments.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What foods to eat for suppurative tonsillitis

Patients with suppurative tonsillitis, a common case in otolaryngology departments. Suppurative tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection due to exposure to cold, leading to tonsil swelling, inflammation, and localized suppuration. In such cases, the first step should be to conduct routine blood tests, C-reactive protein tests, and throat swab cultures to diagnose the patient's illness. Treatment usually involves the use of penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics to improve inflammation. Dietarily, patients should focus on light food and avoid cold foods, spicy and irritating foods, cold drinks, and hot pots to prevent the exacerbation of suppurative tonsillitis. Regular physical exercise should also be emphasized as it can help boost one's immunity and reduce the occurrence of tonsillitis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How many days can suppurative tonsillitis get better?

The treatment and recovery time for acute suppurative tonsillitis is generally about a week, although individual differences exist. If the inflammatory response is relatively mild and the individual's resistance is strong, recovery and relief can typically be achieved within about five days through timely medication. If the inflammation is more severe, or if the individual's resistance is weak, the recovery time may be extended, such as beyond a week. Generally, the condition is primarily an acute bacterial infection, and treatment mainly involves antibiotics to fight the infection. Additionally, treatment can be supplemented with nebulization and traditional Chinese medicine orally. It is also recommended that patients maintain a light diet and regularly check routine blood tests; some may also need to monitor liver and kidney functions.