Tonsillitis is common in children but can affect people of any age. Therefore, if you begin experiencing pain while swallowing, bad breath, swollen tonsils, ear pain, fever, sore throat, or hoarse voice, you are encouraged to seek medical help. Irrespective of the cause of your tonsils, you are expected to practice home remedies to provide symptomatic relief by soothing the throat. Suppose you or your kid is experiencing any of the above symptoms of Tonsils Harvey; understanding ways of dealing with your symptoms is essential. In most cases, there is a difference in managing tonsillitis caused by viruses or bacteria. To learn various ways of managing tonsillitis, read on.

• Consuming plenty of warm fluids

A lot of warm liquids, such as tea, soup, and broth, help soothe your sore throat. You can also drink herbal teas that contain pectin, honey, or glycerin to help soothe the throat irritation you might be experiencing because these ingredients form a protective film over the mucus membranes of your throat and mouth.

• Eating cold foods

Eating soft and cold foods like ice cream or yoghurt can help numb your pain, providing temporary pain relief. You can also benefit from drinking chilled smoothies, sucking popsicles, and sipping ice-cold water. Other foods you can try are hard candies or chewing gums that have menthol or mint. Both mint and menthol have a cooling and numbing effect on your throat.

• Gargling with salty water

Gargling your mouth with salty water soothes the pain you might be experiencing at the back of your mouth. You can make a saltwater mixture with eight ounces of warm water with a teaspoon of salt and stir to ensure the salt dissolves. You can gargle the back of the mouth with the water for a few seconds before spitting it out. You are advised to repeat the process as often as possible and avoid swallowing the salt solution. Usually, gargling is not recommended for young children because the high risk of them inhaling and being choked by the mixture is high.

• Antibiotics

In most cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics when the cause of your tonsils is a bacterial infection. However, if the cause is viral, no antibiotics are given, and all you are encouraged to do is adhere to some home remedies to provide symptomatic relief. The disease will eventually go on its own. Usually, oral penicillin for ten days is prescribed to treat tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus. However, an alternative antibiotic may be recommended if your kid is allergic to penicillin. You or your child should ensure that they take all the antibiotics given, even if the symptoms go away. Failure to complete the antibiotics may lead to the spread of infection to other body parts. It may increase the chances of your kid suffering from serious kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Failure to complete antibiotics might also lead to drug resistance.

Besides the above strategies, you can also increase indoor humidity, avoid straining your voice, take over-the-counter painkillers, and get enough rest. Therefore, if you or your kid is experiencing tonsillitis symptoms and seeking relief, you can schedule your appointment at ENT of New Orleans today for quality care.