I think I might have tonsillitis.. questions..

[tedoll78]

{I know this isn't the ideal place, medical professionalism, blah blah.. ;) but DU is so good at this type of thing!}

Here's the history:
- I've never had it before.
- August 8th: sore throat, temperature of 101F for a few hours. Symptoms relieved by two nights of Nyquil.
- August 10th - 16th: symptoms come and go. No fever, but a tiny bit of soreness in the throat. More Nyquil & cough drops. Symptoms are all gone after this. I think it's all back to normal..
- August 19th - TODAY: Right tonsil is found enlarged upon awakening. Small while pustules on tonsil. Sore. Throat & tonsils very red. Antiseptic spray applied. A small nagging cough. Pain when swallowing. Slight pain in right ear.

So, I made an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow. I'm ready for the throat swab and all that jazz. Do they still remove tonsils? What medications do they give?

It sucks.. I should've went to the doctor on the 9th instead of tomorrow.

[rateyes]

1. Yes, they still remove tonsils...

my advice is: see a doctor! (Ain't I smart!) Sorry that you're not feeling well. Hope it's something they can treat without surgery, though.

[tedoll78]

4. Bad timing..

(as if there's ever good timing for this kind of thing to happen..)

Right before I'm about to begin my first Big Job post-graduation. My wallet can't afford surgery.. or a delay in that first paycheck! :P
I wonder if this runs in families.. my mom and her mom needed theirs removed during their lives..

[rateyes]

6. Hope you're insured..

on a lighter note...maybe you can call Bill Frist's office...he's known for making diagnoses without even having to examine the patient. Seriously, it sounds like the poster below me knows a lot more than I do about surgery options. Might be able to treat it without--I really do hope so.

Peace

On edit: Congrats on graduation!

[Raster]

2. sounds like tonsilitis, and no, unless absolutely necessary in adults

they don't like to take out your tonsils. What is a minor operation in kids can turn out to be a major affair in adults. If it is tonsilitis, a spectrum of antibiotics will probably be prescribed.

Tonsils are one of those organs doctors used to believe did nothing, kind of like a vestigial organ. Now doctors believe tonsils are part of our immune system and have a role to play in our general health.

See your doctor.

[Akoto]

3. Sounds like tonnsillitis to me.

The swollen tonsil with the white pustules is a dead giveaway. I had it many, many times when I was younger.

They treated me with penicillin. Never removed my tonsils.

[skygazer]

5. Could be strep infection?

I recall from my childhood having several strep infections of the throat - they were characterized by swollen tonsils and white pustules (the white was the dead giveaway). Treatment with antibiotics cleared it up.

See your doctor - if it is a bacterial infection of any kind, antibiotics will help.

[SmokingJacket]

10. I second the strep diagnosis.

Let us know, huh?

[MsUnderstood]

7. My experience as a former victim of tonsillitis and ectomy

1) The throat swab takes 24 hours to read so they won't conclude you have it for 24 hours. Ask them to start you on antibiotic ANYWAY or to call you with results and call in the antibiotic perscription that you will need if it is positive. You'll only cure this with an anti-biotic.

2) I had a really, really hard time moving my neck when I had tonsilitis. That is one of the symptoms. Small white postuls are another good sign.

3) They used to remove tonsils if you had constant tonsilitis, not one case.

4) DON'T get your tonsils removed. That was a cure to fix tonsilitis but it then removes the one thing that prevents infections getting to other parts of your body--in my case estachan (ear) tubes. I had an inner ear infection every year AFTER having my tonsils removed. Took away neck/throat pain and replaced it with dizzyness/ear pain.

Hope you feel better. Try gargling with salt water...that helps some people. Also 600 mg - 800mg of motrin for the pain!

[lastknowngood]

8. Stop shouting!

n/t

[bicentennial_baby]

9. white spots are usually a good indicator of strep infection

although they generally develop faster than that. in any case, you need to get yourself to a doctor and get all checked out, seriously.

[Sannum]

11. When I have strep, I vomit as well

(I know, thanks for sharing, Sannum...:eyes:)

Maybe it is just something that happens to me, but I wouldn't make a diagnosis. See a doctor. These things can get really nasty really quick.