Infected tonsils

Causes and the treatment options

Tonsils are the glands located at the back of the throat. These glands perform a very important function, i.e. they produce anti-bodies that help the immune system to protect the body from foreign infectious agents.  The Tonsils can also get infections that can range from mild to severe. The symptoms that accompany the infected tonsils are very painful. In case of many infections the tonsils can get swelling and become red and inflamed. A thin grayish white film covers the tongue and the tonsils; as the infection progresses. The throat gets painful soreness. If the infected tonsils are due to streptococcus bacterial infection you suffer from moderate to high fever. You feel frequent, sudden and unexpected chills. Pus accumulation is also seen in some cases of tonsillitis. The lymph nodes can become puffy, swollen and tender. In severe cases of tonsillitis, red and enlarged tonsils with scars, enlarged lymph nodes without any tenderness, and frequent sore throat infections are experienced. 

Tonsils get infected due to a number of reasons. Like, pollutants in the air can cause infected tonsils. A person with poor hygiene and health are more likely to get tonsil infections because fungi, parasites also cause infected tonsils.  You may experience red, inflamed and painful tonsils during a viral or bacterial infection, but once the infection is treated infected tonsils get back to normal condition. Doctors prescribe antibiotic medicines to cure the strep infections, but if the tonsils are inflamed and painful because of viral infections antibiotic medicines cannot do anything. They cannot help to get rid of the viruses. Doctors can only prescribe some anti-inflammatory tablets in case of viral infection. And you only have one option left, i.e. to wait for the virus to go and try some home remedies to alleviate the symptoms. 

Natural remedies help in all kinds of infected tonsils whether they are caused by some viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Some useful remedies include: the same old famous and effective warm salty water gargle. Gargle with the water with fenugreek seeds simmered in it. Drinking more water and herbal teas like chamomile tea, black tea, white tea and fenugreek tea, etc. is also beneficial.  Natural remedies include a change in diet as well. You should eat light meals, preferably soft food like pasta and soups to avoid irritation in the throat and tonsils. You should keep yourself warm and get plenty of rest.

In some cases the infected tonsils can pose serious threats and can make it difficult for the patient to breathe. Tonsils, being the first line fighters of the immune system are very important. They do help the body to fight off infection, but they are not the only glands that do so that is why when they get infected and cannot be treated by medicines they are removed by a surgical procedure known as Tonsillectomy. This surgery is done in both children and the adults, but in adults it takes longer to recover after the surgery. Moreover the surgery is more painful in adults than in children.

>>> More home remedies for tonsillitis

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