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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What can you eat with acute tonsillitis?

Acute tonsillitis refers to acute inflammation of the tonsil mucosa and submucosa in the throat area, which may be related to bacterial infections, viral infections, and some physical and chemical factors, such as dust and high temperature. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods in the case of acute tonsillitis. Instead, we can eat more bland, easily digestible, high-protein foods rich in vitamins, such as foods with a bitter taste. We can also consume some throat-clearing fruits like watermelon, dragon fruit, apple, and snow pear, etc. Thus, during the anti-inflammatory treatment for acute tonsillitis, one can also adopt a light diet.

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How long to receive IV therapy for acute tonsillitis?

Acute tonsillitis is an acute infectious inflammation of the tonsils, primarily caused by bacterial infection. Therefore, intravenous therapy is required for acute tonsillitis, which indicates that the symptoms of the tonsillitis are severe, often being suppurative tonsillitis. The duration of intravenous treatment generally lasts about three to five days, but it specifically depends on the patient's condition, and can even last longer. After the infection is controlled and symptoms are alleviated, treatment can switch to oral medications for anti-infection. Overall, there is no specific time rule for how long the infusion should last; it is often determined based on the specific condition of the patient.

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Chronic Tonsillitis Dietary Precautions

In terms of diet, there are several points to note for chronic tonsillitis: First, it is very important to drink plenty of water, which is vital for the maintenance of chronic tonsillitis. As for food, it is necessary to avoid spicy and stimulating foods and primarily adopt a light diet, eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins in the body, which is also very important for the prevention and care of chronic tonsillitis. Additionally, try to avoid environments with smoking and alcohol; specifically, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. Pay attention to oral hygiene and rinse your mouth promptly after eating.

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How long will chronic tonsillitis take to heal?

Chronic tonsillitis generally improves gradually over a week. It arises from repeated acute tonsillitis attacks or persistent unresolved infection, leading to symptoms such as persistent low-grade fever, swelling and pain in the throat, primarily during swallowing. Additional symptoms include dryness, itchiness, a foreign body sensation, a sense of obstruction, and cough due to irritation in the throat. Examination with an electronic laryngoscope typically reveals significant congestion and enlargement of the tonsils on both sides, with pus plugs possibly present in the tonsillar crypts. For treatment, patients should first undergo symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy. Since tonsillitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, often from hemolytic streptococcus, oral cephalosporin antibiotics are effective. Treatment can also include nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and swelling. It is advisable to drink more water and rest adequately, which should allow for gradual recovery within about a week.

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How to completely cure chronic tonsillitis?

The definitive treatment for chronic tonsillitis mainly involves surgical removal. Before undertaking the surgery, doctors will conduct a strict assessment to see if there are indications for surgery. Common indications include repeated episodes of chronic tonsillitis, acute outbreaks, or the formation of a peritonsillar abscess, under which circumstances surgery is strongly recommended. Repeated episodes are defined as more than four occurrences per year, at which point surgery should be considered. Furthermore, if the tonsils are so large that they interfere with swallowing, speech, or breathing, such as causing snoring or unclear speech, surgery should also be considered. Moreover, chronic tonsillitis can lead to other diseases since the tonsils are an immune organ, and prolonged chronic inflammation might trigger certain immune-related diseases, such as chronic nephritis, skin diseases, and psoriasis. In such cases, the relevant departments will advise patients to first visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department to have the tonsils removed, which is beneficial for further treatment of the related diseases. Additionally, if the tonsils exhibit signs of benign growths with chronic inflammation leading to lymphatic tissue hyperplasia and cyst formation, surgical removal is recommended to achieve a definitive cure.