How long does acute tonsillitis last?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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The treatment for acute tonsillitis generally lasts about a week. This condition also relates to the patient's physical constitution, their own resistance to illness, and the degree of inflammation, which means there are individual differences. If a person has good resistance and the inflammation is not particularly severe, noticeable relief can typically be achieved in about three days. Conversely, if someone's physical condition is generally poorer and the inflammation is more severe, the condition might require more than a week to improve. In terms of medication, antibiotics are primarily used, supplemented with nebulization and the oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines. It is necessary to regularly monitor complete blood counts to observe the degree of recovery and changes in the inflammatory response.

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Written by Gui Xiao Yan
Internal Medicine
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How to reduce fever caused by tonsillitis?

Inflammation of the tonsils often causes fever. If the temperature increase is not very significant, physical methods such as using ice packs or fever patches can be utilized to reduce the fever. When applying ice packs, you can wrap ice cubes with a dry towel and place them on areas such as the forehead, neck, armpits, groin, and the hollow behind the knees, where large blood vessels pass and cooling effects are good. Besides, wiping the skin with warm water or alcohol can accelerate heat dissipation. Once the body temperature exceeds 38.5℃, antipyretic drugs should be administered, with acetaminophen and ibuprofen being the most commonly used in clinical settings. Tonsillitis is mainly caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and appropriate anti-infection treatment should be taken after identifying the pathogen. (Please follow medical advice when using medications)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does chronic tonsillitis cause fever?

Chronic tonsillitis is a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease with various clinical symptoms. Most patients may experience enlarged tonsils, a sensation of a foreign body in the tonsils, and recurrent sore throat, though the pain generally isn't very severe. Patients with chronic tonsillitis usually do not have a fever. However, if an acute episode of chronic tonsillitis occurs, it may cause fever, primarily due to acute bacterial infection leading to fever. In terms of treatment, blood tests and laryngoscopic examinations are necessary to observe the extent of the inflammation. Generally, antibiotic treatment to fight the infection is considered, with a treatment period of about one week. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How is chronic tonsillitis treated?

The treatment of chronic tonsillitis mainly involves two aspects. The first is conservative treatment, which means paying attention to regular physical exercise to enhance the body's resistance, avoiding environments with smoke and alcohol, and avoiding spicy and irritating food. The purpose of this approach is to prevent acute attacks of chronic tonsillitis. The other method is surgical treatment. Surgical treatment requires adherence to certain criteria for chronic tonsillitis surgery, commonly including repeated occurrences of more than four times a year, the formation of peritonsillar abscesses, and cases affecting breathing, phonation, or swallowing functions. Additionally, surgery is needed when chronic inflammation of the tonsils leads to conditions such as inflammatory granulomas or hyperplasia.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should be avoided in the diet for acute tonsillitis?

Acute tonsillitis is primarily caused by an acute infectious inflammation of the tonsils due to bacterial infection, which may also initially involve viral infections. The main bacteria involved are Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus. The dietary restrictions for acute tonsillitis mainly include the following: Firstly, in terms of diet, it is important to eat light, nutritious, and easily digestible foods. Spicy and stimulating foods such as tobacco and chili peppers should be avoided, as these irritants can cause further congestion and swelling of the mucous membranes, exacerbating the condition during the acute phase. Secondly, attention should be given to substances such as mangoes and seafood, which can cause allergies. If a patient is allergic to these substances, consuming them can trigger allergic symptoms, aggravating the clinical symptoms of acute tonsillitis and worsening the condition. Thirdly, it is important to ensure that the food consumed is neither too hot nor too cold, as extreme temperatures can affect the recovery from the illness.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of acute tonsillitis

Acute tonsillitis is an acute infectious disease of the tonsils, primarily caused by bacterial infection. Clinically, it mainly manifests as pain in the throat area, and sometimes the pain is very severe, even radiating to the base of the ears and down to the jaw. Additionally, there might be systemic symptoms such as loss of appetite, overall lethargy, weakness in the limbs, fever, night sweats, and chills. Generally, the presence of systemic symptoms indicates a severe infection of tonsillitis, requiring treatment through intravenous fluids. Clinical examinations can reveal enlarged tonsils, congested surfaces, and the presence of pin-point-like gray or white purulent secretions.