Possible symptoms of Tonsilitis??

[bright_eyes]

ALRIGHT, FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, IT HAS BECOME QUITE PAINFUL TO SWALLOW ANYTHING.  MY TONSILS APPEAR VERY SWOLLEN WITH WHITE PATCHES ALL OVER THEM.  I FIND THAT WHEN I LAY DOWN, IT BECOMES EVEN MORE PAINFUL.  ALSO, WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, I FOUND THAT MY LYMPH NODES ARE SWELLING.  I HAVE BEEN TAKING 1 IBUPROFIN TABLET AND 2 PENICILLIN VK 250MG TABLETS ABOUT THREE TIMES A DAY FOR THE PAST DAY AND A HALF, AND SAW SOME POSITIVE RESULTS LAST NIGHT.  MY THROAT WAS ONLY MILDLY SORE, AND I WAS FEELING SOMEWHAT BETTER. NOW, LIKE I MENTIONED, I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, AND MY THROAT IS, ONCE AGAIN, VERY SORE, MY LYMPH NODES ARE SWOLLEN, AND I EVEN SOUND DIFFERENT WHEN I SPEAK.  IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP MYSELF?  I AM SCARED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO HAVE MY TONSILS REMOVED...

THANKS.

[National Jewish]

The white patches that you have described could be thrush.  This is an over growth of a fungus that is normally found in the mouth, called Candida albicans.  This generally looks like cheese curds.  When the white patches are wiped off, the area bleeds and feels very sore.  This is treated with an anti-fungal medicine.

Tonsillitis is an infection that can be viral or bacterial.  Viral tonsillitis usually does not make you very sick.  It may cause a low-grade fever that lasts for 2 or 3 days and then goes away without antibiotics.  Cold medicines may help with the symptoms.  Bacterial tonsillitis is usually caused by Streptococcus and is more severe.  It makes you feel worse with a higher fever and requires antibiotics.

Antibiotics should only be taken for the specific condition that they have been prescribed.  At this time no one knows if this is an infection, if it is what kind and how it should be treated.

You will need to be seen by a doctor to learn the nature of the problem that is causing your symptoms.  If the doctor feels that you have a throat infection, a throat culture would be the type of test to find out if it is due to a bacteria or fungus.  Then your doctor will be able to suggest the most helpful medicine for you.  Generally the symptoms that you have described are treated with medicine before surgery is even considered.  Surgery is rarely needed.

[trasmus]

Hi,

I had the same problem as you, only it went on for years, from my early teens until my early 20's. An application of Iodine  would help sometimes. You get an extra long cotton swab and wet it on the tip with the Iodine, then swipe it across your tonsils. Make sure NOT to swallow the Iodine! Do this a couple of times then spit. Don't gargle or rinse the Iodine from your throat. Like I said it worked for a while, but I eventually had to get my tonsils removed at 22, and it wasn't as bad as I'd feared.

[ozark]

it sounds as if you have strep throat which needs to be cultured and treated.....if you donot have signs of a cold for example a stuffy nose then you probably have strep////please see a dr for a culture and antibiotics

[bright_eyes]

thanks alot for replying...my throat, as it did last night also, feels a lot better now.  ive been taking zinc lozenges which seem to be helping quite a bit.  im not sure if this is because it works my throat a bit, or just because of the zinc.  but yes, whatever it is doing, i believe that it is helping.  now...lets just hope that i dont wake up in the morning and have to go to school with it hurting so.  
as i said in my first post, it hurts alot when i lay down...is there anything that i could do tonight when i go to bed to prevent it from being extra swollen and hurt when i wake up?  in the middle of the night i found myself waking up because my mouth was insanely dry and throat very sore...
any advice?

thanks so much.

[nurse12hr]

The good news is, is that even if you have strep, the Pen-V-K will adequately treat it in most cases.  It is important to finish it ALL.
However, most sore throats are from viruses, so all the Penicillin in the world may not help.  In any event, it will be gone in a week to 10 days.

As to the pain from the  sore throat, gargle with Chloraseptic right before bed, and I believe there is also a chloraseptic spray that you spray right down your throat that numbs the pain somewhat.

[starion]

Plesae see a doctor!  If it IS the strep throat (which can only be confirmed by having a throat culture done), it NEEDS to be treated to avoid complications which COULD affect your heart.  Strep throat IS highly contagious until you've been taking the RIGHT antibiotic for a sufficient length of time (your doc will advise you).  If you are a university student, you may be able to see the doctor at the health center, otherwise see your family doc.
Aloha,
Starion

[bright_eyes]

once again, thanks for the advice.  i went to my doctor today, and he prescribed me 500mg of PVK...1000mg a day.  Also, he sent me to get blood work done with a screen for mono...hmm...i really hope that that is not what i have.  i had a fever last night of 102 and somewhat of an earache...not fun.  i just want to feel better...soon.  he didnt really tell me what it was, could anyone tell me what they think it is?  
i also have a mock trial competition tomorrow, and dont know if i should attend...??

thanks.

[bright_eyes]

Yeah...disregard that last post of mine...my doctor just called and said that my white blood cell count is very low and i have mono.  i need to stay out of school for fourteen days...this is not good at all.  Since i have had this since thanksgiving, at least, will i really need to stay out that long?  i REALLY dont want to miss school...

thanks.

[starion]

ASK THE DOC.  S/he is the best person to answer your questions about how much school you can/should miss.  If you need to get incompletes at school and make them up, it can be done, especially with a note from your doctor.
Mono is quite contagious, but how long people are actively suffering from symtpoms may vary greatly among patients.  I had a very short bout, while my boyfriend at the time was quite debilitated for a much longer time.  My son missed a lot of school for many weeks when he had mono (which was diagnosed 4 months after he had recovered), though he kept going to many docs throughout his illness.
The key is to work with your doc & your school.  There is a LOT you can do at home to keep up, if your teachers cooperate and get you your assignments (on the computer or through a friend).  Your health is the KEY and most important thing to remember in this.
By the way, did your doc test you specifically FOR MONO?  A low white blood cell count could mean a number of different things on its own.
Take care!
Aloha,
Starion

[ozark]

you should ask your dr about the penicillin....i know when you have mono you shouldnt take amoxicillin....good luck

[HOLLYZ126ncfla1242001]

Hello everyone. This is Holly Aiello.I am a new member. I know I am only a 12 yr old girl. I want to be an Otolaryngologist when I graduate ( sorry i couldnt spell that) from Lehigh University and Harvard Medical School,but right now I am in 9th grade at Moravian Academy.I know alot in the Otolaryngology field. There are some things that I still dont know yet. Some of the things that you ( bright_eyes) described here, it sounds to that it could be many things such as:

1. Tonsillitis
2. Common Sore Throat ( some of these symptoms can occur with a cold or a typical sore throat)
3. Strep Throat ( do not let this untreated or it will lead up to  heart,joints,kidneys desease)it is very important to take all of the antibiotics or that particular infection will learn how to regect it.
4.Mono
5 Other Unknown Causes
Hope these facts help you.Let me know how things go ok.
if you have tonsillitis 3 to 5 times a year for 3 yrs or 7 infections per year, and other,problems that occur i would sugest a tonsilectomy/adendectomy if you have adenoid problems. if you have any questions about tonsils, adenoids (adenoids), throat infections and their symptoms. you can email me anytime and ask any questions at ***@**** God bless you all and Merry Christmas

[HOLLYZ126ncfla1242001]

Hello everyone. This is Holly Aiello.I am a new member. I know I am only a 12 yr old girl. I want to be an Otolaryngologist when I graduate ( sorry i couldnt spell that) from Lehigh University and Harvard Medical School,but right now I am in 9th grade at Moravian Academy.I know alot in the Otolaryngology field. There are some things that I still dont know yet. Some of the things that you ( bright_eyes) described here, it sounds to that it could be many things such as:

1. Tonsillitis
2. Common Sore Throat ( some of these symptoms can occur with a cold or a typical sore throat)
3. Strep Throat ( do not let this untreated or it will lead up to  heart,joints,kidneys desease)it is very important to take all of the antibiotics or that particular infection will learn how to regect it.
4.Mono
5 Other Unknown Causes
Hope these facts help you.Let me know how things go ok.
if you have tonsillitis 3 to 5 times a year for 3 yrs or 7 infections per year, and other,problems that occur i would sugest a tonsilectomy/adendectomy if you have adenoid problems. if you have any questions about tonsils, adenoids (adenoids), throat infections and their symptoms. you can email me anytime and ask any questions at ***@**** God bless you all and Merry Christmas

[cc61578]

good evening.  after much deliberation and painful infections, i am scheduled to have my tonsils removed in a few days.  what can i expect from the operation?  i am a thiry year old woman in otherwise good health.  i am in better than average physical condition, and this is my first ever surgery.  please give me some idea as to what i might expect.
thank you!
cc61578