Children may also be less likely than adults to experience complications, such as bleeding or significant pain, after the procedure. But, in a study , scientists from Finland looked at 86 adults with recurrent sore throats.
Adults who had their tonsils removed also reported fewer medical visits and absences from school or work. If you experience chronic or recurrent sore throats involving your tonsils, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of having tonsil surgery. In rare cases, your tonsils can grow back after surgery. Tonsillitis is more common in children, but adults can also develop the condition.
If you develop tonsillitis, a viral infection is the most likely culprit, but it could also be caused by a bacterial infection. Many cases of tonsillitis will get better on their own, usually within a week. Discover five ways to help treat tonsillitis symptoms from home.
Tonsillitis can be caused by various viruses or bacteria. Strep throat is only caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Tonsillitis is contagious, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk for catching or spreading this infection.
We rounded up…. Have a sore throat but only on one side? Read about eight possible causes and how to treat them. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
No one younger than 20 should take aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness. Be careful when taking over-the-counter cold or influenza flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much acetaminophen Tylenol can be harmful. Try lozenges or an over-the-counter throat spray to relieve throat pain.
Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids may help soothe an irritated throat. Drink warm or cool liquids whichever feels better. These include tea, soup, and juice. Do not smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoking can make tonsillitis worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. The viruses at work include those that cause the common cold and laryngitis , as well as the Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for mononucleosis.
When adults come down with tonsillitis due to a bacterial infection, group A Streptococcus is the usual culprit. People sometimes refer to this illness as strep throat. Its onset is usually more sudden than that of viral infections, and people do not typically have a cough, which is frequently present with a viral infection. Children and teenagers are more likely than adults to get tonsillitis, including that due to group A Streptococcus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , only about 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat actually have strep throat.
As tonsillitis is more common in children and also very contagious, the factors that place adults at higher risk of developing it include:.
If it is not improving, it is getting worse, or the symptoms are so severe that the individual is not able to eat or drink as necessary, it is a good idea to see a doctor. As most cases of tonsillitis in adults, as with children, are due to viruses, rest and self-care at home are usually the only treatments necessary. Commonly recommended self-care practices include:. However, if testing reveals that tonsillitis is due to a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic therapy.
In situations where it is not clear whether bacteria are the cause, some doctors recommend a strategy of delayed antibiotics, with individuals taking medication if they meet certain criteria. Penicillin and amoxicillin are the antibiotics that doctors prescribe most often to adults with bacterial tonsillitis.
People who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics will receive a suitable substitute. Using antibiotics, when appropriate, can shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce the risks of complications, such as rheumatic fever. People with tonsillitis may benefit from using a cool mist humidifier. These devices release moisture back into the air, helping alleviate throat discomfort. Individuals who do not have access to a humidifier can instead try inhaling steam from a hot shower or bath.
Swelling in the throat can cause the voice to become muffled. It may be tempting to counter this by raising the voice, but doing so risks further throat irritation.
If speaking is painful, a person should try to rest the voice as much as possible. They should also make an appointment with the doctor, as having difficulty speaking can sometimes indicate a complication. People with tonsillitis should get as much rest as possible. Resting will allow the body to fight off the viral or bacterial infection.
Continuing to go to work or school not only increases the likelihood of a person being ill for longer, but it may also put others at risk of catching the infection. OTC analgesics can help relieve a sore throat, fever , and other painful symptoms of tonsillitis.
Examples of these drugs include:. Some throat lozenges contain anesthetic medications to numb and soothe the throat. Many also contain anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and inflammation. One of the benefits of throat lozenges is that they deliver pain relief directly to the site of inflammation. Some lozenges also contain antiseptic agents. These help target the bacteria responsible for bacterial tonsillitis.
However, lozenges are not suitable for young children as they pose a choking risk. Some also contain benzocaine, which can have adverse effects in this population. The Food and Drug Administration FDA advise parents and caregivers to avoid giving products containing benzocaine to children younger than 2 years unless a doctor recommends it. Throat sprays and gargles are another way to deliver anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic medications directly to the throat.
0コメント