Medicines and products for tonsillitis

Medicines and products for tonsillitis

For viral tonsillitis (most cases): no antibiotics - they do nothing to viruses. Treatment is symptom relief:

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever, in correct doses (weight-based for children).
• Throat lozenges for adults and older children (choking hazard for small children).
• Salt-water gargles and soothing warm drinks - as effective as most medicated gargles.
• Never aspirin in children or teenagers.

For strep (bacterial) tonsillitis: antibiotics. Doctors usually prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin for 10 days, with alternatives for penicillin allergy. The antibiotics' real job is preventing rheumatic fever and kidney complications - and that only works if the full course is completed, even though pain and fever settle within 1-2 days. Stopping halfway leaves surviving bacteria and the complication risk intact. Never self-start leftover or unprescribed antibiotics, and never demand antibiotics for a viral illness - misuse breeds resistant bacteria.

For complicated situations:

• Peritonsillar abscess: hospital drainage plus IV antibiotics.
• Recurrent/chronic tonsillitis: ENT evaluation; tonsillectomy is considered on documented frequency criteria.
• Mononucleosis: rest and time; avoid contact sports while the spleen is enlarged.

Products to be wary of: antibiotic courses bought without prescription, and herbal throat products positioned as antibiotic substitutes - comfort products are fine, cure claims are not.

Remember: painkillers and patience for viral; a complete, doctor-prescribed antibiotic course for strep.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive)

Ayurvedic products can soothe symptoms but cannot eradicate strep. Where antibiotics are indicated, they are the treatment.