Different tonsillitis cures include antibiotics and antiviral medications. Although no treatment is 100 percent effective, these medications are highly effective in reducing inflamed tonsils caused by infections. Antibiotics are used for bacteria-related infections, while anti-virals are typically prescribed as tonsillitis cures for swollen tonsils caused by viruses.
Other remedies often used to treat tonsillitis include over-the-counter medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. Although these medications will not cure tonsillitis, they will help to relieve swelling, pain, and irritation. Symptoms of tonsillitis include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and red throat. In addition, white or red spots on the tonsils, fever, and excess salivation can also accompany tonsillitis.
Certain home remedies are also frequently used as tonsillitis cures. These include gargling with salt water and drinking warm tea with honey. Gargling with salt water not only soothes a sore throat, but the sodium can help draw out impurities from the tonsils and throat. Tea with honey is also very soothing to the throat tissues because the tea can ease inflammation while honey coats the throat.
When tonsillitis fails to respond to remedies and tonsillitis cures, a physician needs to be notified. Sometimes, tonsillitis and throat infections can be caused by a strep bacteria. If strep is not fully eradicated, it can cause a secondary, systemic infection and even cause heart problems. Complications of a strep tonsillitis include septic arthritis and rheumatic heart disease. If not treated, rheumatic heart disease can cause permanent damage to the valves of the heart.
Sometimes, people are unable to tolerate the side effects from antibiotics. Since it is very important to complete the entire course of antibiotics that the physician has prescribed, the doctor should be called. There may be other, alternative, forms of antibiotics that cause fewer side effects than oral antibiotics. Such alternatives include intramuscular antibiotic injections and, in some cases, intravenous antibiotics.
Tonsillitis cures and other remedies to alleviate swollen tonsils should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids along with antibiotics and anti-viral medications can help the body's immune system clear an infection more optimally. In addition, avoiding smoking and getting adequate rest and sleep can also help build up the immune system, making it easier for the body to fight off infections. Although individuals may not have much of an appetite during a bout of tonsillitis, and this is especially true of children, every effort should be make to eat healthy foods to maintain strength and immunity.