Antibiotics for tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is characterized by sudden, severe sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing and swollen tonsils that persist for several days. Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the so-called palatine tonsils. In healthy people, the palatine tonsils are ideally not visible when the mouth is open.

In people with tonsillitis, they are easily recognized when looking into the open mouth on the right and left side of the uvula, and in extreme cases they can even enlarge to such an extent that they touch each other in the middle under the uvula. In the case of tonsillitis, germs usually enter the mouth and throat area of affected persons by air. Either they are distributed directly in the air or they are bound to small liquid particles in the air we breathe.

Many people carry the pathogenic germs in their mouths, but they do not necessarily cause an inflammation. So even healthy people can spread this germ, which can then infect some people. Every time these people sneeze or cough, small particles of liquid get into the air and can be inhaled by other people.

Therefore it is also important to keep a distance to already infected patients to prevent this kind of transmission. As with many other diseases, viruses or bacteria can be the culprits of tonsillitis. However, since antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, it is important to carefully weigh up when the use of antibiotics makes sense and can help the patient at all.

Unlike bacteria, viruses penetrate human cells and multiply there. The problem is that most antibiotics cannot work within the cells and are therefore ineffective against viruses. Bacteria sit however outside of cells and are by their structure well accessible for antibiotics.

First indications of bacteria as cause of an almond inflammation can be fever, missing cough and thick occupied almonds. A viral illness is more likely to occur when the sore throat is caused by a cold. A smear with a rapid test can also provide information about the cause.

If bacteria are likely to be the cause, it is still necessary to weigh up whether an antibiotic is the right medication. Research shows that most patients get rid of their symptoms after one week and that the administration of antibiotics brings a quick improvement, but the duration of the illness is only slightly reduced. Patients who are prone to middle ear infections, especially children, are of particular importance.

Middle ear infections are often caused by germs that enter the middle ear from the mouth, nose or throat through the tympanic cavity. The tympanic tube connects the throat and the middle ear to equalize the pressure so that the eardrum does not rupture in the event of strong pressure fluctuations. This passage also promotes the development of middle ear inflammation.

Since middle ear infection can have serious consequences, it is necessary to be a little more generous with the administration of antibiotics in the case of tonsillitis. As with any medication, the benefits must always be weighed up against the potential side effects of an antibiotic. According to studies, 10% of adults are affected by side effects of an antibiotic, especially diarrhea and skin changes.

Antibiotics are still absolutely essential in the case of purulent tonsillitis caused by streptococci, a type of bacteria that can cause serious damage to the kidneys and heart. It is always important to take them for the entire period prescribed by the doctor, even if this often takes longer than the existing symptoms. If you stop taking the medicine too early, some bacteria may survive and the inflammation may flare up again and again.

If, however, in the reverse case, an antibiotic should no longer have any effect after 2 days, those affected should consult a doctor again to clarify whether another antibiotic should be prescribed. Among the groups of medicines used, there are several representatives that can be used against tonsillitis. A very well-known representative of the typical antibiotics and also with the tonsillitis of often used active substances is the Amoxicillin.

It is used for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. From gastro-intestinal diseases, respiratory tract infections, inflammations of the ear, nose and throat to bone inflammation, it can be used in many different ways.Depending on the type of disease and, of course, on the age and weight of the patient, the dosages also vary. Amoxicillin ensures that the bacteria die in their growth phase in the body.

Amoxicillin can be taken as tablets, effervescent tablets or dry juice. Taking juice works very well for children when tablets are difficult to swallow and especially when the throat is very painful. Amoxicillin is best tolerated if taken during a meal, because then the fewest side effects occur.

The most important side effects include skin rashes, dry mouth and fever. In the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Overall, however, Amoxicillin is extremely well tolerated compared to other antibiotics.

Alcohol should be avoided while taking amoxicillin or antibiotics in general. Both alcohol and many antibiotics are broken down in the liver. If alcohol and antibiotics get in each other’s way there, this can lead to organ damage in the worst case.

During pregnancy and lactation caution is advised and Amoxicillin should only be taken as directed by a doctor. While taking the contraceptive pill you should switch to another contraceptive as long as you are taking Amoxicillin, because the effects of Amoxicillin on the gastrointestinal tract can reduce the uptake of the contraceptive pill and therefore the effect can no longer be guaranteed with the same high probability. This group of antibiotics are also used to treat infections and inflammation of the ear, nose and throat, such as tonsillitis or middle ear infection.

Other indications are urinary tract diseases or skin infections caused by bacteria. Known active ingredients are cefaclor, cefuroxime or ceftriaxone. Like amoxicillin, these substances also inhibit the growth of bacteria and cause them to die.

They are also very well tolerated and are considered to have very few side effects. Of course, side effects cannot be excluded. They are also very well suited for pregnant women and nursing mothers, but should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor.

Even if the antibiotics mentioned so far already cover a large part of the well-known germs, one must increasingly deal with the fact that many antibiotics lose their effect. The bacteria learn over the time to deal with the antibiotics and not to let themselves be damaged by its effect any longer. Thus the antibiotic loses its effect and must be replaced by another.

Macrolides such as telithromycin or clarithromycin are always used when the antibiotics described above are not tolerated or the bacteria have learned to become resistant to the antibiotics and therefore a change is necessary. Their main field of application is in sinusitis and sexually transmitted diseases. They affect the protein production of cells that cannot survive without proteins, let alone continue to grow or multiply.

A great advantage is the long duration of action, so that it only needs to be administered once a day compared to the other groups. An at least equally big disadvantage is the interaction with other drugs in the liver. Most of the drugs we take are broken down in the liver.

If too many active ingredients reach the liver, it can no longer ensure optimal breakdown and damage to the liver can occur. Important medications that have to be taken into account are anticoagulants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, painkillers, medications for allergies and for mental illness. In addition to antibiotics, other medications such as painkillers are also important in the treatment of tonsillitis.

Here Paracetamol is suitable well or Ibuprofen, since these can work additionally to the pain relief still against the inflammation and lower the fever. Lozenges are also very helpful, as they slightly numb the irritated throat area and can thus enable painless swallowing, at least temporarily. Antibiotics are not always the right solution for repeated tonsillitis.

If the inflammation occurs several times a year, the tonsils should be removed instead of taking antibiotics several times a year. Every inflammation leaves scars and forms an excellent basis for the growth of new bacteria.A recurring cycle begins and can only be interrupted by antibiotics for a short period of time, but never in the long term.