A tonsil infection is known as tonsillitis, and though the idea that many of us most associate with tonsillitis is a tonsillectomy - surgical removal of the tonsils - there are many other ways to handle the infection, and removing the tonsils is only a last resort. Before you get to that point, there are several other options to choose from, both medications and home remedies.
Apart from a sore throat, patients with a tonsil infection sometimes experience headaches and fever. Tonsillitis often takes its own course and disappears within a few weeks, so what is mostly needed is treatment that eases the symptoms. The main symptom of tonsillitis is a severe sore throat, and the remedies for it are practically the same as for any other sore throat. Simply heat up a glass of water, add a teaspoon of salt to it, and use the solution to gargle for a few minutes. Always make sure that the water is not too hot, else you will end up with a burnt tongue in addition to the tonsillitis. You can also drink warm milk at night, with a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder added to it. It is always advisable to avoid spicy and oily food for at least a week, and preferably for the entire duration of the infection. For the first few days you should also consider avoiding solid food entirely.
If you have a headache and fever, you can place a cool, wet towel on your forehead, but if these symptoms persist for more than two days you should visit a doctor for treatment. In the case of a severe bacterial infection, antibiotics may also be needed. You may prefer to avoid antibiotics, but sometimes they are necessary, and in the case of tonsillitis, it is certainly much better than having your tonsils removed.
answered by G M