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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTonsillitis caused by a virus is typically treated with self-care. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Oral penicillin typically needs to be taken for at least 10 days. Other antibiotics may have shorter courses. Although you'll probably feel better in a day or two, it's important to finish the full course of antibiotics. Stopping medication early may cause the infection to come back.
If your child has a positive strep test, he or she needs to complete at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment before returning to school or child care. If your child has difficulty swallowing, antibiotics may be given by injection. In some cases, treatment with steroid medications may reduce swelling.
Although surgery is no longer the standard treatment for tonsillitis, removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be recommended when other treatments don't work.
Self-care
Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a viral infection, and antibiotics won't help. The only thing you can do is let the virus run its course — and take steps to relieve pain and inflammation. Recovery may take a week or two.
- Drink warm, soothing liquids — such as soup, broth and tea.
- Gargle with warm salt water.
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) to help reduce fever and decrease pain. Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome — a potentially life-threatening illness — don't give aspirin to children younger than age 12.
Surgery
Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is rarely needed for adults. During childhood, surgery may be recommended when a child has had:
- Seven or more serious throat infections in one year
- Five or more serious throat infections every year over a two-year period
- Three or more serious throat infections every year over a three-year period
Tonsillectomy may also be recommended to treat an abscess that doesn't improve with antibiotic treatment, or if swollen tonsils are blocking breathing.
Tonsillectomy is usually done on an outpatient basis. That means your child will be able to go home the day of the surgery. A complete recovery may take up to two weeks.
