Should I Take Antibiotics for Acute Tonsilitis?

28. Oktober 2025

2 Min. Lesezeit

Ratgeber öffnen Sammlung öffnen Serie öffnen

Many people believe that tonsilitis is just a sore throat, and the easiest way to cure it is with antibiotics. Is this true?

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

Many people believe that tonsilitis is just a sore throat, and the easiest way to cure it is with antibiotics.
How to tell the difference
How to treat it

Für wen das ist

Für alle, die Bakterielle und virale Infektionen über antibiotics, tonsilitis erkunden.

Warum es wichtig ist

Dieser Artikel hilft dir, dich schnell zu orientieren, und führt dich dann zu einer Sammlung oder Serie, wenn du weitermachen möchtest.

Artikelautor

Dr. Irene

Pädiaterin, HNO-Arzt, Phoniaterin

How to tell the difference

Tonsilitis is an acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils. The main symptoms are a sore throat, which intensifies when swallowing and a high temperature, sometimes up to 100.4–102.2 °F. However, these symptoms can be caused not only by bacteria but also by viruses. Treatment depends on whether it is bacterial or viral.

Some signs are more characteristic of a viral infection — for example, in addition to a sore throat and fever, there may be a runny nose, conjunctivitis, hoarseness, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea. Local manifestations of the disease (within the palatine tonsils and oropharyngeal mucosa) are indicative of bacterial infection, but often there are general manifestations of intoxication (fever, weakness, joint tenderness).

However, the manifestations of the disease do not always fit into the classic framework. To confirm the diagnosis, the following is generally done: prescribe a general blood test, a smear on the microflora, exclude beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A, which can provoke the development of kidney, heart, joint diseases, and use an express test (special test strips).

How to treat it

With proven bacterial etiology of tonsilitis (especially if beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A is detected), a course of antibiotics is necessary.

In about 40 % of cases, acute tonsillopharyngitis is a manifestation of a viral infection. In this case, taking antibiotics is not only useless but also harmful. For example, taking penicillin antibiotics for mononucleosis can cause a toxic-allergic reaction. In addition, the use of antibiotics often leads to an imbalance of intestinal microflora and intoxication, so it makes no sense to take them "just in case."

Even the doctor can not always determine what exactly causes a sore throat without tests. Moreover, it is impossible to do it at home. Therefore, at the first signs of tonsilitis, consult your doctor. Don’t rely on self-treatment, which can make it worse.

Weiterlesen

Bakterielle und virale Infektionen#Vitamine

B12 and Tuberculosis: How Not To Let the Bacteria Win

Nearly 1.8 billion people worldwide are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it one of the world’s deadliest diseases. A team of scientists at Harvard University has discovered a specific mechanism that can be used to help the body defeat TB.

Darya28. Okt. 2025

Bakterielle und virale Infektionen#Viren

What Vaccinations Should Be Done When Traveling to Foreign Countries?

Even during a pandemic, people are not ready to give up travel. Exotic destinations such as Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa are open for tourists. If you go to these countries—especially countries in Africa—you can face dangerous infections, and vaccinations can help protect you.

Dr. Helene28. Okt. 2025

Magen-Darm-Trakt#intestines

The Microbiome: Does It Control You, or Do You Control It?

The microbiome is involved in many physiological processes throughout one’s life and largely determines its quality. If you want to have a good life, read on!

Dr. Irene28. Okt. 2025

Atmungssystem#tonsilitis

Chronic Tonsillitis: One Disease With Many Faces

Have you ever experienced a sore throat or had difficulty swallowing? It may be caused by tonsillitis. Let’s look at the causes of it and how to treat it.

Dr. Alex28. Okt. 2025

Installiere Ornament, um nicht nur diese Artikel zu lesen, sondern auch deine Gesundheit zu verfolgen, Testergebnisse zu speichern und auf weitere nützliche Funktionen zuzugreifen

Ornament installieren