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One side of my tonsil's is swollen

I wasn't sure what topic to put this under so I went with colds because I've been sick for a little over a week now. I started out having a really sore throat to the point where I couldn't talk. It cleared up and then I developed a runny nose which also is showing signs of stopping. My throat hasn't hurt for a few days until I woke up today I noticed it was uncomfortable when I swallow. I checked out my throat and noticed that one of my tonsils is incredibly larger than the other, should I be worried? Should I wait for the swelling to go down.

I can't see a doctor...I don't have any health insurance right now or a way to pay for it.
I'm in the transition of moving to a different state...I'm not really sure what it is or what to do or if I should be worried or not.

It's not painful when I touch it, I can't even feel it, but it's abnormal size is kinda weirding me out.

Thank you.
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Avatar universal
Hi you answered the question I had about my tonsil. You talked about the swelling maybe going down since I've posted my problem and I wanted to give an update and see if your opinion was still the same.

My runny nose, sore throat, and whatever else kind of sickness I had before is gone. There is no pain in my throat and my tonsil isn't so swollen that I can't swallow normally. It doesn't cause me any discomfort anymore and it doesn't look as if there's anything on it. However one of my tonsils still appears abnormally bigger than the other, there is no pain whatsoever associated with it though.

I don't have any kind of insurance if I do need to seek medical attention, so I'm not sure what to do there.

thank you.
Helpful - 0
242588 tn?1224271700
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This sequence of events suggests that your one-sided tonsillar enlargement was preceded by an upper respiratory infection.  The enlargement of only one tonsil with infection is quite unusual and is sometimes associated with the development a peri-tonsillar abscess.  That is the development of a collection of pus in the tissue surrounding the tonsil.  This is a serious situation and one that definitely warrants medical intervention.  Usually, but not always, it is accompanied by pain, tenderness to touch and fever.

Occasionally, one tonsil will enlarge out of proportion to the other and then when the infection subsides, gradually returns to normal size.  This is usually not accompanied by fever or pain, but can cause obstruction to swallowing.  

You ask, “Should I wait for the swelling to go down.”  It may have already since your E-mail.  If not; if you are still having obstruction to swallowing, or pain or fever then, you must seek medical attention.  If, on the other hand your symptoms have subsided or completely gone and the size of the tonsil has diminished, you could probably wait.

It is important to remember that the enlargement of one tonsil may be a sign of an abscess and/or a sign that the infection is caused by an unusual bacterium such as one called Actinomycosis (not strep) or by a true fungus.  If there is any doubt in your mind about any of this, and especially if the tonsil is still large or, worse yet, continues to enlarge, you should find a way to get medical care.  To do otherwise would be too risky.

Good luck
Helpful - 0

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