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Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils located on both sides of the back of the throat. It is not contagious, but the infectious organisms that cause it can spread to other people. Seeking proper treatment for tonsillitis in San Diego is essential, especially when it doesn’t go away after taking medication.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck. Other indicators may include:
- A scratchy-sounding voice
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Earache
- Stomachache
- Headache
- A stiff neck
- White or yellow spots on the tonsils
Causes of Tonsillitis
There are two major types of tonsillitis: viral and bacterial. They can be triggered by a virus such as the common cold or by bacterial infections such as strep throat.
Diagnosing Tonsillitis
During the consultation with your doctor, your throat will be examined to reach a diagnosis. A throat culture may be performed by gently swabbing the back of your throat. This helps in identifying the cause of your throat infection.
You may also need to give a blood sample to determine whether your infection is viral or bacterial—a factor that may affect your treatment options.
Treatment Options
Tonsillitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Most of the time, people who have tonsillitis recover within 7 to 10 days. When the condition is chronic or recurrent, a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils is often recommended. This surgery is called a tonsillectomy.
Although there are similarities in the symptoms of viral tonsillitis and bacterial tonsillitis, they are treated in different ways. This is why the treatment you receive depends on the infection’s cause.
Contact Us
If you’re experiencing tonsillitis for more than two days and you’ve noticed that the symptoms have persisted or gotten worse, contact your doctor right away. If you’re looking for treatment for tonsillitis in San Diego, schedule an appointment with us today.
