Do you need to be hospitalized for suppurative tonsillitis?

Written by Cheng Fu Wei
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Purulent tonsillitis is a relatively severe type of tonsillitis, mainly caused by bacterial infection leading to inflammation and pus formation in the tonsils. If symptoms are severe, such as intense pain that interferes with eating and swallowing, or even high fever reaching above 38.5 degrees Celsius, hospitalization for intravenous therapy is recommended. If the condition is mild, with no fever and less severe pain and swallowing discomfort not affecting eating, oral medication or outpatient intravenous therapy can be administered.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does suppurative tonsillitis require hospitalization?

Purulent tonsillitis refers to the acute purulent infection of the tonsils, mainly caused by bacterial infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, etc. The clinical symptoms of purulent tonsillitis are quite obvious and relatively severe. However, generally, purulent tonsillitis is not treated in the hospital nowadays, but treated in outpatient settings with oral antibiotics or intravenous infusions for anti-infection treatment. Clinically, unless purulent tonsillitis is complicated by other diseases, such as peritonsillar abscess, pharyngeal abscess, or retropharyngeal abscess, hospitalization may be considered for treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Should you avoid certain foods if you have suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis is an acute purulent infection of the tonsils, with relatively severe clinical symptoms, mainly manifested as severe pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and even systemic symptoms such as fever. Therefore, it is necessary to be cautious about diet in cases of purulent tonsillitis, mainly as follows: Firstly, avoid irritants like smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods such as chili peppers. Secondly, food should be neither too cold nor too hot, to avoid stimulating the tonsils and exacerbating the inflammation. Also, some fruits, like mangoes and pineapples, may cause allergies and can irritate the inflamed tonsillar tissue, worsening the condition. Therefore, these are the precautions that need to be taken.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Dietary restrictions for suppurative tonsillitis

For acute suppurative tonsillitis, dietary caution is indeed necessary. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods, smoking, alcohol, overly hard foods, and allergenic foods, as these can exacerbate existing inflammation and cause further throat pain. Timely medical treatment should be considered. Typically, a complete blood count test is recommended to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. Antibiotics, commonly cephalosporins or penicillins, are generally advised for treatment. Additionally, nebulizer therapy can be considered in conjunction with regular follow-up checks to observe the effects. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if I have a fever with suppurative tonsillitis?

Acute purulent tonsillitis often comes with a fever, which is generally caused by an acute bacterial infection. The first step is to check the body temperature. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, consider using antipyretic medication. It is also advised to perform a routine blood test to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. Typically, antibiotic treatment is considered to combat the infection, and this may be accompanied by nebulization and the oral intake of traditional Chinese medicine. Most patients can effectively recover with timely treatment. If the treatment does not yield good results, further hospitalization and intravenous therapy might be necessary, along with investigating the possibility of infectious mononucleosis. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.