Do I Need to See a Doctor for Tonsillitis?
Sore throat that won’t go away? Feel like you’ve got a couple of golf balls in the back of your throat? You may have tonsillitis.
Will Tonsillitis Go Away on its Own?
Many tonsillitis infections are caused by viruses and will go away on their own, but because tonsillitis can mimic other infections it’s best to make sure.
If you are having difficulty breathing or if it feels like the infection is spreading to other areas (such as your ear) call us for an appointment right away: 817-398-3439.
How Do You Know If You Have Tonsillitis or Strep Throat?
Really you should come in and see us to make sure. The symptoms for tonsillitis are very close to other, more serious, infections including strep throat and mono.
The symptoms for tonsillitis include:
- Swollen lymph nodes (especially the tonsils)
- Trouble swallowing
- Sore throat
- Pus or a white or yellow growth in the throat
- Fever
- Headache
- Foul breath
- Stomach issues
Tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or viral infections. We can do a rapid strep test and an overnight throat culture to make sure your infection doesn’t require antibiotics. We may also want to do a blood test to check your blood cell count.
Because tonsils are a part of your immune system, we try to treat the infections and keep them healthy. If you’re getting chronic tonsil infections, though, you may be a candidate for a tonsillectomy.
