HELLO, Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause your doctor may perform a throat swab culture. This test involves gently swabbing the back of the throat close to the tonsils with a cotton swab. A lab test can detect a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria is negative.

If tests reveal bacteria, treatment may consist of antibiotics to cure the infection. Although symptoms are likely to improve within two or three days after starting the antibiotic, it's important to take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to make sure the bacteria are gone.

If the tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work and your body will fight off the infection on its own. In the meantime there are things you can do to feel better, regardless of the cause. They include:

Get enough rest
Drink warm or very cold fluids to ease throat pain
Eat smooth foods, such as flavoured jellies, ice cream or apple puree
Use a cool-mist vaporiser or humidifier in your room
Gargle with warm salt water
Suck on lozenges (for example containing benzocaine or other anaesthetics)
Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
Regards, Dr.Sharmila