Tonsillitis?

[Smurfysmiles]

If anyone on here is a med student or anything I''d appreciate the advice Poor fi has really bad tonsillitis and has been taking tylenol every 4 hours and moxicilan(sp?) and his temperature would break, it''s constantly at 99-101 degrees...He''s been eating plenty of ice cream and getting fluids. Poor guy. Anyways, like I said- any advice would be great thanks guys

 

[Smurfysmiles]

we were told just to wait it out yuck
im starting to get it myself

luckily the doctor gave me the antibiotics too just in case

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I will give you some general advice about enlarged tonsils. I have had several episodes, and the last few time I have not received antibiotics and just let it ride. So I know what you both are going through right now, it is not fun. Here are a few facts and pointers.

If it is a virus (which most cases are unless there was a positive strep test), the antibiotics will not help. It will just take time

For fever, you can use either tylenol or an NSAID like Motrin, Advil ect. I find that NSAIDs are slightly better for body aches, and the throat pain

Enlarged tonsils are not a problem unless they cause breathing problems. The subtle way this can show up is sleep apnea. The not so subtle way is inability to take liquids, talk, or breathing problems. If these things are happening, than it is necessary to be evaluated by a professional to rule out an abscess. If there is not evidence of abscess, than it is possible to get steroids to help shrink the size of the tonsils. But that is reserved for the most severe cases because steroids can lessen your ability to fight infection.

If there is congestion, that can be treated with OTC medication, that may help lessen the irritation to the tonsils

Fluids are very important. When someone is sick, eating is not important. Drinking is.

I find that warm liquids, especially chicken broth, really help break up the nasty crud back there. It is temporary, but it is a nice feeling.

Hope he feels better, there are some nasty viruses going around right now. And of course, if things are getting worse, or if there are any concerns, make sure you see your doctor.

 

[pixley]

I don''t have any medical advice, but want to offer my sympathy. I suffered from severe bouts of tonsillitis in my 20s and finally had them removed when I was 21. It was the best thing I could''ve done. I hope he recovers soon.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

He''s doin better, his fever went down but now today he is feeling really nauseous and coughing up a lot of snot (lol sorry)

 

[Munchkin]

!. I''m thrilled that he is feeling better. I hope that you don''t develop whatever he has.

2. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding "tonsillitis." First and foremost, a fever is a good thing! It shows that your immune system has kicked in to do its job. There really isn''t a need to try an "break" a fever, especially a low grade one. (In pediatrics we consider anything under 102.5 low grade. Also, a "normal" temp is 97.6-99.6. People are told 98.6 because it is in the middle of the normal rage.) So, back to fever management. Again, no need to break one. Tylenol and motrin are good for treating the symptoms that tend to accompany a fever, IE headache, body aches, etc. I always tell my parents that I am impressed if a "fever reducer" lowers a temp by a degree.

Tonsillitis is truly simply enlarged tonsils. The VAST majority of sore throats and enlarged tonsils are viral. Without a positive strep test or evidence of a tonsilar abscess, there is generally no need to administer antibiotics. In fact, as antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, a person may even feel more spent using unnecessary antibiotics.

A general rule of thumb I use is: the more symptoms, the more likely it is viral. IE body aches, headache, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat? Likely viral. Here in the Northeast we have been seeing a horrible bug for the past several weeks. Generally healthy people are being knocked over by a high temp (I''ve even seen greater than 104 in ordinarily healthy adolescents.) the throat is AWFUL! There is a cough, nasal congestion, everything hurts, etc. The fever and throat are lasting 5 days. The cough and nasal congestion are persisting for weeks in some cases. In three weeks of seeing dozens of patients with this, I have seen fewer than 5 cases of strep and exactly 5 cases of pneumonia.

In pediatrics we are constantly trying to educate against overuse of antibiotics. So many parents were raised believing that an antibiotic will cure what ails you, that they come into my office practically demanding antibiotics. We need to be sure these antibiotics will still work on their children 60 years from now. It is a challenge. I recently had a teen girl''s mom yell at me because I wouldn''t prescribe an antibiotic. The teen girl cried and told me "all I want is an antibiotic." With clear lungs, a negative strep test and normal ear drums, I didn''t give in. When I called her two days later her illness was gone. The mom actually apologized to me. Apparently no one had really ever explained that an antibiotic isn''t always helpful nor did she realize that a typical virus can easily last up to 10-14 days.

I have NO idea if you or your FI needed antibiotics and I''m not trying to insinuate anything about either of you. I''m also sorry if this seems to have threadjacked your post. I saw an opportunity to provide some info that my peers are desperate to disseminate!

A few myths about illness:
fever isn''t bad - how you feel with one is!
white patches do not mean strep, in fact, it is usually viral
green nasal discharge does not mean a sinus infection, it means you need to drink more fluids. Here''s a quick factsheet
http://www.cdc.gov/DRUGRESISTANCE/community/hcp-info-sheets/child-rhin-vs-sinus.htm

Thank you for letting me climb atop a soapbox. I''m sorry if I offended you! I meant no harm.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I started writing something like that, but than decided to keep it to the question being asked. I don't think fevers are bad (unless of course they are crazy high), but do treat them if someone is uncomfortable, especially a child who is spending the night crying because of the fevers (or most likely the body aches that come with fever). I know when I have a fever, I get the worst headaches and back pain, and if I treat the fever, the pain goes away. Of course, they all have the same underlying cause that NSAIDS inhibit. I spent many years letting myself have fevers because I thought they were good for fighting infection, but have become too much of a wimp I guess as I am getting older.

I wish there was a more effective way to address antibiotic overuse in out own profession, as other physicians are really the ones who need to understand this. It is frustrating to tell a patient they don't need antibiotics only for them to go see someone else and get them. This gives the patients conflicting messages about antibiotic use.

Smurfy - this has nothing to do with your situation, I hope you are feeling better. It sounds like you have the same thing I have been seeing in the ER right now (although some strep is going around too). I think I am starting to come down with it

 

[Feralpenchant]

TONSILITIS SUCKS. I get it at LEAST twice a year. I always just wait it out, antibiotics don't work. I take painkillers and anti-inflammitories and try not to think about it..

Sometimes sucking on ice can numb the pain and feel nice.

I tried last year to get my tonsils taken OUT. I didn't get it done when I was younger because I had heard horror stories about how it changes the tone of your voice, and I am a singer, and I didn't want my voice to change in any way.

My doctor proceeded to tell me that they don't remove tonsils anymore unless you have chronic strep throat because tonsils provide a source of white blood cells that you need and taking them out can have long term effects. I'd never heard of that. Maybe it's new research but, I'd rather have them out than suffer for 4 weeks a year. Bleh.

I got sick last year with strep and my tonsils swelled and they NEVER went down. I have no pain, no nothing, but they are so swollen sometimes they get in the way of my breathing at night if I lay wrong. It's been over a year now. I've seen specialists, everything, and they do not know why they are swollen. Even with this information, they won't take the stupid things out.

 

[simplysplendid]

I hate tonsilitis, it feels just like a razor blade cutting your throat everytime you swallow. The pain was so bad that i had to swallow shaved ice before every mouthful of food I take otherwise the pain will slice my throat (yep, like a blade).