Purulent tonsillitis, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis or strep throat, is a common bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. This condition is characterized by inflammation, swelling, and pus formation in the tonsils, leading to severe pain and discomfort while swallowing.
One of the most common symptoms of purulent tonsillitis is fever, which is a result of the body’s immune system fighting off the bacterial infection. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, about 10%-15% of patients with purulent tonsillitis experience recurrent fever, even after receiving appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Repeated fever in purulent tonsillitis can be a sign of a more severe infection, such as tonsillar abscess or rheumatic fever. Tonsillar abscess is a condition where a pocket of pus forms in the tonsils, leading to severe pain and difficulty swallowing, while rheumatic fever is a rare complication of untreated strep throat that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including the heart.
Therefore, you need to seek medical attention if you experience repeated fever or any other symptoms of purulent tonsillitis. Your doctor may perform a throat swab test to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate antibiotics to treat the infection.
Treatment of repeated purulent tonsillitis with fever
The treatment options for purulent tonsillitis, including its recurrence, depend on the severity of the infection and the underlying cause. Here are some of the treatment options that may be recommended:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are the primary treatment for purulent tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, such as Streptococcus pyogenes. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins. These medications help to kill the bacteria causing the infection and reduce the risk of complications. According to a Cochrane review of randomized controlled trials, antibiotic treatment reduces the duration of symptoms, the risk of complications, and the likelihood of transmission of the infection to others.
- Surgical removal of the tonsils: Surgery to cut away the tonsils may be recommended for patients with recurrent purulent tonsillitis, especially if the tonsillitis is causing significant pain, difficulty swallowing, or other complications.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with purulent tonsillitis. Throat lozenges or sprays may also be used to help numb the throat and reduce pain.
- Home remedies: Gargling with salt water, drinking warm liquids, and getting plenty of rest may also help alleviate the symptoms of purulent tonsillitis. These remedies are often used in combination with antibiotics or other treatments.
- Immunomodulatory therapies: Immunomodulatory therapies, such as intravenous immunoglobulin, may be used in patients with recurrent purulent tonsillitis who have an underlying immunodeficiency disorder.
- Lifestyle changes: Certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or avoiding irritants that can irritate the throat, is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence.
It is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms improve, to ensure that the infection is fully treated and to reduce the risk of recurrence. If you experience recurrent purulent tonsillitis, speak with your doctor to determine the underlying cause and to discuss the most appropriate treatment options for your individual needs.
Is repeated purulent tonsillitis with fever a sign of nasopharyngeal cancer?
Do people with repeated tonsillitis containing pus have any risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer?
Repeated purulent tonsillitis with fever is not a sign of nasopharyngeal cancer. However, chronic inflammation or infection of the tonsils can lead to changes in the cells that line the throat, which may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including nasopharyngeal cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat behind the nose. The exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not known, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing this type of cancer, including:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection: EBV is a common virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis. People who have had EBV infection have an increased risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Family history: People who have a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde and wood dust, have been linked to an increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
If you are concerned about the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, speak with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests or a biopsy to evaluate the area and determine whether further investigation is necessary or not. However, you need to note that repeated purulent tonsillitis with fever is not typically a sign of nasopharyngeal cancer, and the risk of developing this type of cancer is relatively low.
In conclusion, purulent tonsillitis with repeated fever is a common bacterial infection that requires prompt medical attention. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment and have been shown to be effective in reducing the duration of symptoms and preventing complications. You need to follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the full course of antibiotics to ensure complete resolution of the infection.
Source of information:
- Bisno AL, Gerber MA, Gwaltney JM Jr, Kaplan EL, Schwartz RH. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis. 2002;35(2):113-25.
- Choby BA. Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(5):383-90.
- van Driel ML, De Sutter AI, Keber N, Habraken H, Christiaens T. Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD004406.
- Nussenbaum B, Bradford CR. Tonsillar hypertrophy, recurrent tonsillitis, and tonsillar malignancy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2003;36(2):501-17.
