Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Tonsilitis
Question: Hello. My tonsils were removed over a year ago, yet I feel like I have tonsilitis. My tonsils did not grow back, recovery was fine.
But now I have a red and inflamed throat, swollen uvula, low to high fever 99-101, accompanied by chills. And I'm pulling (not coughing) lots of sputum from my throat. Sometimes it's bloody. I do not have a cough or wheeze with this illness. It hurts extremely bad to yawn. And to swallow rough foods. The bloody mucous is concerning me but my doctor didn't tell me anything about it. I need to find a new doctor. He really doesn't care. Do you have any idea what's going on? Thank you.
But now I have a red and inflamed throat, swollen uvula, low to high fever 99-101, accompanied by chills. And I'm pulling (not coughing) lots of sputum from my throat. Sometimes it's bloody. I do not have a cough or wheeze with this illness. It hurts extremely bad to yawn. And to swallow rough foods. The bloody mucous is concerning me but my doctor didn't tell me anything about it. I need to find a new doctor. He really doesn't care. Do you have any idea what's going on? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Pharyngitis, possibly viral.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The palatine tonsils which are removed during a tonsillectomy are only a part of the lymphoid tissue spread throughout the throat. This includes the lingual tonsil (entire posterior third of the tongue), lateral and posterior pharyngeal bands, tubal tonsils, adenoids (mostly in childhood) and countless other scattered all over oropharynx and nasopharynx.
2. Hence after a tonsillectomy, it does not mean that you will never get a sore throat (pharyngitis), but the frequency and discomfort reduces. This is usually explained in detail to every patient and parent before a tonsillectomy.
3. You have a pharyngitis (sore throat), possibly viral (from the symptoms). This involves the other lymphoid tissue (known as Waldeyer's inner ring) and the delicate lining of the throat.
4. From your description, you are correct in expecting an increase in medication. Get another examination of the throat and depending upon this other supportive medication such as antibiotics (for secondary bacterial infections), anti-allergic, mucolytics, anti-inflammatory and medicated gargles will help you heal faster.
5. Your physician may also advise a throat swab, sputum examination and routine blood tests.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Pharyngitis, possibly viral.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The palatine tonsils which are removed during a tonsillectomy are only a part of the lymphoid tissue spread throughout the throat. This includes the lingual tonsil (entire posterior third of the tongue), lateral and posterior pharyngeal bands, tubal tonsils, adenoids (mostly in childhood) and countless other scattered all over oropharynx and nasopharynx.
2. Hence after a tonsillectomy, it does not mean that you will never get a sore throat (pharyngitis), but the frequency and discomfort reduces. This is usually explained in detail to every patient and parent before a tonsillectomy.
3. You have a pharyngitis (sore throat), possibly viral (from the symptoms). This involves the other lymphoid tissue (known as Waldeyer's inner ring) and the delicate lining of the throat.
4. From your description, you are correct in expecting an increase in medication. Get another examination of the throat and depending upon this other supportive medication such as antibiotics (for secondary bacterial infections), anti-allergic, mucolytics, anti-inflammatory and medicated gargles will help you heal faster.
5. Your physician may also advise a throat swab, sputum examination and routine blood tests.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Ok, so I keep pulling up red/dark bloody sputum from my throat. This is really starting to concern me now. The bloody sputum started Saturday but I'm not noticing blood anywhere else. So, I don't have a nose bleed. My "boogers" in my nostril are normal colored but my rough textured bloody sputum is red and brown. Where would this blood be coming from, and how can I "treat" this if my doctor won't give me antibiotics? Just a reminder: I've been doing a salt water gargle-and-spit for over a week now, once a day. And I'm taking Sudafed for the congestion.
Brief Answer:
Sudafed may dry the nose and throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Sudafed may cause dryness in the nose and throat, leading to the blood stained mucus.
2. The only way to treat these symptoms is as mentioned above.
3. You can also get the sputum examined for the presence of blood.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Sudafed may dry the nose and throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Sudafed may cause dryness in the nose and throat, leading to the blood stained mucus.
2. The only way to treat these symptoms is as mentioned above.
3. You can also get the sputum examined for the presence of blood.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for all of your detailed help! I do have one question though. I'm almost positive I have a "Nasal Septal Hematoma" in my right nostril. Exactly a week ago I took 250mg of Tramadol over the course of 10 hours because of how bad my throat pain was. This makes my nose itch, and I believe this "Nasal Septal Hematoma" formed. I was picking my nose a LOT Saturday last week and I think this may explain my bloody sputum as well. But what doctor do I see for a nasal septal hematoma? An ENT like yourself? I read online it should be removed by a doctor to avoid an abscess from forming, but I would like to save money and not have to see three different doctors for an official diagnosis or surgery to remove it.
Thank you again for all of your help. I've also been having dull kidney pain for a few days and presented UTI symptoms as well. Do I see a urologist for that? My boyfriend thinks it may be unrelated to my current illness, and possibly a kidney stone. Thanks Dr. Bhatti :)
Thank you again for all of your help. I've also been having dull kidney pain for a few days and presented UTI symptoms as well. Do I see a urologist for that? My boyfriend thinks it may be unrelated to my current illness, and possibly a kidney stone. Thanks Dr. Bhatti :)
Brief Answer:
ENT Specialist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. A Septal hematoma can be easily diagnosed or ruled out by an ENT Specialist.
2. The septal hematoma presents in the proximity of the area known as the 'dangerous area of the face'. This area includes the lower nose and upper lip. The drainage of blood from this area is via the opthalmic veins and hence infection can easily spread to the brain, unlike the rest of the face.
3. Hence even the slightest infections are treated aggressively by antibiotics and the smallest collection of any abscess is drained promptly.
4. These antibiotics will easily help treat the UTI infection also. Kidney stone pain will be a lot worse.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
ENT Specialist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. A Septal hematoma can be easily diagnosed or ruled out by an ENT Specialist.
2. The septal hematoma presents in the proximity of the area known as the 'dangerous area of the face'. This area includes the lower nose and upper lip. The drainage of blood from this area is via the opthalmic veins and hence infection can easily spread to the brain, unlike the rest of the face.
3. Hence even the slightest infections are treated aggressively by antibiotics and the smallest collection of any abscess is drained promptly.
4. These antibiotics will easily help treat the UTI infection also. Kidney stone pain will be a lot worse.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
