What foods to eat for suppurative tonsillitis

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 04, 2025
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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is surgery necessary for suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis refers to the acute purulent inflammation of the tonsils, mainly caused by bacterial infection, including infections by Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. Purulent tonsillitis is an acute inflammation, so during this acute inflammation phase, the primary treatment is the use of antibiotics for anti-infection. After the anti-infection treatment, the symptoms of the patient disappear, and then it can be assessed whether surgical treatment is needed. Generally speaking, sporadic occurrences of purulent tonsillitis do not require surgical treatment. For frequently recurring purulent tonsillitis and enlarged tonsils, surgical treatment should be considered after the acute inflammation has subsided.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What fluid should be administered for suppurative tonsillitis?

Purulent tonsillitis is a serious infectious disease clinically, mainly manifesting as severe pain in the pharyngeal area, general malaise in patients, and even symptoms such as chills and fever. Therefore, active treatment is required. Clinical treatment is mainly anti-infection treatment. Infusion primarily uses cephalosporin antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and cefazolin for treatment. To enhance the anti-infection effect and reduce the edema of the patient's throat mucosa, corticosteroid drugs such as dexamethasone or prednisolone are often used simultaneously in the infusion treatment.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Early symptoms of suppurative tonsillitis

The early symptoms of suppurative tonsillitis include fever, muscle weakness, muscle pain, as well as swelling and pain in the throat, and a runny nose. Suppurative tonsillitis is primarily caused by bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract due to lowered immunity and resistance, often resulting from infections by hemolytic streptococci. Patients may exhibit fever, swelling, and pain in the throat area. A thorough examination at a hospital with an electronic laryngoscope and a complete blood count can confirm the diagnosis. The examination may reveal bilateral tonsillar enlargement and congestion, with the presence of pale white or yellowish pus-like secretions on the surface. For treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy is required, which may include the use of penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, usually with good results. In addition, rest and attention to diet are important for gradual improvement during the treatment period.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How many days does suppurative tonsillitis generally cause fever?

Purulent tonsillitis generally causes fever that lasts for three to five days, and patients will experience persistent high fever with body temperatures above 38°C. Purulent tonsillitis is caused by a systemic and throat symptom due to infection with hemolytic streptococcus following a decrease in the body's immunity and resistance. Patients will experience sudden high fever, body temperatures above 38°C, and severe throat pain primarily around the tonsils. Additionally, patients may experience dryness, itchiness, a sensation of a foreign body, a feeling of obstruction, and irritative cough in the throat area. Upon examination, significant congestion and swelling in the throat, enlarged tonsils, and pus plugs covering the surface can be found. In treatment, since tonsillitis is generally a bacterial infection, patients can benefit significantly from orally administered cephalosporin antibiotics. Moreover, patients need to follow a bland diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Improvement is generally seen around one week. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)