Tonsillitis

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

At the back of your throat, two masses of tissue called tonsils act as filters, trapping germs that

could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection. They also produce antibodies to

fight infection. But sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. Overwhelmed by

bacteria or viruses, they swell and become inflamed, a condition known as tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. The condition can occur occasionally or recur frequently.

Causes and Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus (strep)

bacteria. Other common causes include:

Adenoviruses

Influenza virus

Epstein-Barr virus

Parainfluenza viruses

Enteroviruses

Herpes simplex virus

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, sometimes

severe enough to block the airways. Other symptoms include:

Throat pain or tenderness

Redness of the tonsils

A white or yellow coating on the tonsils

Painful blisters or ulcers on the throat

Hoarseness or loss of voice

Headache

Loss of appetite

Ear pain

Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth

Swollen glands in the neck or jaw area

Fever, chills

Bad breath

In children, symptoms may also include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Abdominal pain

Throat problems are issues related to the throat, which is the area in the neck that is used for the

transportation of food and air to the esophagus and the trachea respectively. The food that is

transported to the esophagus is used by the digestive system, whereas the air transported to the

trachea is used by the respiratory system.

The pharynx, larynx, and the epiglottis are important parts of the throat. The common types of throat

problems are pharyngitis (commonly known as sore throat), laryngitis (infection of the larynx), tonsillitis

(infection of the tonsils) and different types of throat cancers. An ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist

has to be consulted for all kinds of throat problems

Treatments for Tonsillitis

Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause, your doctor

may perform a rapid strep test or throat swab culture. Both tests involve gently swabbing the

back of the throat close to the tonsils with a cotton swab. A lab test can detect a bacterial

infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria

is negative. In some cases, the physical findings are convincing enough to diagnose a probable

bacterial infection. In these cases, antibiotics may be prescribed without performing a rapid

strep test

If tests reveal bacteria, treatment will consist of antibiotics to cure the infection. Antibiotics

may be given as a single shot or taken 10 days by mouth. Although symptoms will likely

improve within two or three days after starting the antibiotic, it's important to take all of

the medicationyour doctor prescribes to make sure the bacteria are gone. Some people need to

take a second course of antibiotics to cure the infection.

If the tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work and your body will fight off the

infection on its own. In the meantime, there are things you can do to feel better, regardless of

the cause. They include:

Get enough rest

Drink warm or very cold fluids to ease throat pain

Eat smooth foods, such as flavored gelatins, ice cream, or applesauce

Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your room

Gargle with warm salt water

Suck on lozenges containing benzocaine or other anesthetics

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen oribuprofen.

When Tonsillectomy Is Needed Tonsils are an important part of the immune system throughout life, so it is best to

avoid removing them. However, if tonsillitis is recurrent or persistent, or if enlarged

tonsils cause upper airway obstruction or difficulty eating, surgical removal of the

tonsils, called tonsillectomy, may be necessary. Most tonsillectomies involve using a

conventional scalpel to remove the tonsils; however there are many alternatives to this

traditional method. Increasingly doctors are using techniques such as lasers, radio

waves, ultrasonic energy, or electrocautery to cut, burn, or evaporate away enlarged

tonsils.

As with all surgeries, each of these has benefits and drawbacks. When considering the

procedure, it's important to discuss your options with the surgeon to select the most

appropriate one for your child.

What to Expect After Surgery Tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia and

typically lasting between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. It is most commonly performed in

children.

Most children go home about four hours after surgery and require a week to 10 days to

recover from it. Almost all children will have throat pain, ranging from mild to severe,

after surgery. Some may experience pain in the ears, jaw, and neck. Your child's doctor

will prescribe or recommend medication to ease the pain.

During the recovery period, it's important for your child to get enough rest. It's also

important to make sure your child gets plenty of fluids; however, you should avoid

giving your child milk products for the first 24 hours after surgery. Although throat pain

may make your child reluctant to eat, the sooner your child eats, the sooner he or she

will recover.

What to Expect After Surgery continued...

For several days after surgery, your child may experience a low-grade fever and small

specks of blood from the nose or saliva. If the fever is greater than 102 degrees

Fahrenheit or if you see bright red blood, call your child's doctor right away. Prompt

medical attention may be necessary.

YOGA POSES FOR TONSILLITIS

Rabbit Pose

Yoga Rabbit pose is the ultimate spinal tension tamer. It can be perform after doing child pose. This pose helps bring blood to your brain, massage your thyroid and compress the throat, which also massages the lymph nodes. This helps to cure insomnia, depression, colds, sinus, tonsillitis, laryngitis, allergies and glandular defects, compresses thyroid, balances hormones, improves flexibility of scapula, and stimulates nerves behind eyes.

Corpse Pose

The Corpse Yoga Pose is considered as a classic relaxation Yoga Pose and is practiced before or in between Asanas as well as a Final Relaxation. While it looks deceptively simple, it is actually difficult to perform. Learn more on how to do it with the help of this article.

Triangle Pose

In Hindu art, the triangle is a potent symbol for the divine principle, and it is frequently found in the yantras and mandalas used for meditation. The Trikonasana or Triangle Pose concludes the Yoga Postures in our basic session.

Lion Pose

The pose of the roaring lion (whose Indian name is original Simhasana) yoga is suitable for people of all ages and types (old and weak including) because it is relatively easy to perform. The pose sometimes referred to as Bhairavasana. The pose gets its name because the face of the person performing the looks on the face of a roaring lion or fierce (Simha Mudra gesture or facial lion) because of the open mouth and tongue extended.

Fish Pose

Doing the Fish Pose relieves stiffness of the neck and shoulder muscles and improves flexibility of your spine. It is the counter-pose of the Shoulder stand. Hold the Fish Pose for at least half the amount of time you spent in the Shoulder stands in order to balance the stretch.

YOGA ASANAS FOR TONSILLITIS

MATSYASANA

The word 'Matsya' would mean fish. This posture is named after

one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu who assumed the form of

a fish. Hence the name 'Matsyasana' or the 'Fish Pose'.

Steps

Sit in Padmasana (Lotus pose). Lie with your back flat with the legs placed on the floor. Breathe out and arch the back, lifting the neck and the chest. Taking the head back, rest

the crown of the head on the floor. Increase the back arch by dragging the head further back by holding the crossed legs.

Remove the hands from the legs. Flex the arms and hold the elbows resting the forearms on the floor behind the head.

Stay in this position for about half a minute to a minute with deep breathing. Rest the back of the head on the floor and lie down flat on the back. Breathe in and get

back to Padmasana to release the legs and relax. Recross the legs the other way and repeat the pose the same way for the same length if

time. If it is difficult to perform the 3 and 4 position, lie down flat on the back and have the

hands outstretched straight over the head.

PARYANKASANA

Paryanka means a bed, couch or sofa. This asana is a

continuation of Supta Virasana. In it the body resembles a

couch, hence the name.

Steps

Sit in Virasana Exhale and recline on the back. Let the neck and the chest and arching the back up rest

only the crown of the head on the floor. No part of the trunk should be on the floor.

Bend the arms at the elbows. Hold with the right hand the left upper arm near the elbows and with the left hand the right upper arm near the elbow. Rest the folded arms on the floor behind the head.

Stay in the pose for a minute with even breathing. Inhale, rest the trunk and d neck on the floor, release the hands and sit up in Virasana. Then straighten the legs one by one, lie flat on the back and relax.

SIMHASANA

The Roaring Lion Posture (whose original Indian name is Simhasana) in Yoga is

suitable for people of all ages and types (including old and weak) because it is

relatively easy to perform. The posture is sometimes referred to as

Bhairavasana.The posture gets its name because the face of the person

performing it resembles the face of a Roaring Lion (Simha Mudra or Lion Face

Gesture) because of the open mouth and extended tongue.

Steps

Kneel down on the ground and place your body weight on your knees, calves and heels with the toes pointing back.

Keep your head and spine erects with the knees about 6-12 inches apart. Press your palms on the respective knees with the fingers extended straight. This is the

Thunderbolt Posture. Open your mouth fully. Exhale through your nose and mouth, and simultaneously

extend your tongue comfortably out of your mouth curving it toward the chin. Hold your breath with the abdomen pulled in. Widen your eyes, bare your teeth and stretch your facial muscles so that your face looks terrifying.

Remain in this final posture for about 10 seconds or your breakpoint.

MAKARASANA

Makara' in Sanskrit is crocodile. This position is basically meant

for relaxation after performing other asanas.

Steps

Lie in Saashtaangasana position. Spread the legs apart, so that the feet are at least 18 to 24 inches from one another.

The heels should oppose each other with the toes pointing away. The thighs, abdomen and chest should rest on the ground and fold your arms so that

they form a triangle under the face. The palms should clasp your opposite shoulder. The head rests on the triangle formed by the elbows and the shoulders. While breathing deeply stay in this position for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

TRIKONASANA

This asana makes the spine flexible and gives good exercise to the

lateral area. It also vitalizes the liver, pancreas and kidneys,

exercises the side muscles and increases the flexibility of the hip

joints and waist.

Steps

Stand straight, feet apart and arms on the sides, palms facing and touching the thighs. While inhaling, raise your right arm slowly up to shoulder level, palm facing down with

the elbow straight. Now turn the palm upwards and raise the hand so that it is in a straight line, touching

the ear. While exhaling, bend as far as possible to the left. This is the final position of

Trikonasana. Maintain it for a few seconds and return to normal position gradually. The same is to be done on the other side. This completes the process. The lateral stretch

should be felt.

Sheethalasana

Sheethalasana cools the throat, thereby reducing the temperature at which the throat infection microorganisms thrive. The fresh atmospheric oxygen that passes through the throat while performing this exercise is also non-conducive for bacterial growth.

The tonsillitis patients have to do three things:

(i) Regular practice of selected yoga asanas,

(ii)Proper diet,

(iii)Proper hygienic care.

Surya Namaskara - Sun Salutation

Simhasana

Trikonasana

Matsyasana

Sarvangasana

Ujjayi Pranayama

Nadi Shodhan Pranayama

Kunjal Kriya

warm saline-water gargle.

Beside the above mentioned asana and pranayama practice of yoga nidra, concentration and

meditation gives the best result.

PARYANKASANA

Paryanka means a bed, couch or sofa. This asana is a continuation of Supta Virasana. In it the body resembles a couch, hence the name.

Technique

1. Sit in Virasana 2. Exhale and recline on the back. Let the neck and the chest and arching the back up rest

only the crown of the head on the floor. No part of the trunk should be on the floor.

3. Bend the arms at the elbows. Hold with the right hand the left upper arm near the elbows and with the left hand the right upper arm near the elbow. Rest the folded arms on the floor behind the head.

4. Stay in the pose for a minute with even breathing. 5. Inhale, rest the trunk an d neck on the floor, release the hands and sit up in Virasana. 6. Then straighten the legs one by one, lie flat on the back and relax.

Effect As in Matsyasana and Prayankasana the dorsal region is fully extended so that the lungs are well expanded. The neck muscles are stretched and the thyroids and parathyroids are stimulated so that they function properly. Those who cannot perform Matsyasana will derive the same benefit from this exercise.

Whereas Virasana and Supta Virasana can be done at any time, even immediately after taking food, Paryankasana cannot be done immediately after a meal.

Some of the other asanas which also helps in tonsillitis are Sirsanas and whatever the asana is possible in the cycle, Padmasana and cycle, Urdhva mukha svanasana, Marichyasana, virasana, Viparita dandasana, Ujjayi and Nadisuddhi pranayama, Bhastrika.

Technique (This is for intermediate pupils)

1. Stand erect with the feet one foot apart and the palms on the hips 2. Push the pelvic region slightly forward, exhale and cure the trunk back so that the

weight of the body is felt on the thighs and the toes. 3. Raise the arms above the head and drop the hands on to the floor. Immediately try to

straighten the arms at the elbows and rest the palms on the floor. If the elbows are not stretched immediately as the palms touch the floor, one is likely to bang the head.

4. After securing the above position stretch the legs and arms straight. 5. While learning the pose this way it is helpful to use a friend or a wall. Stand about three

feet from a wall with your back to it. Curve the back and move the head towards the wall. Push the pelvis forward so that the body weight is felt on the thighs and move the palms down the wall until you touch the floor. Use the wall for coming up in a similar manner. After mastering this, only use the wall until you are half-way up. Then learn to do the asana in the middle of the room.

6. There are various home remedies that can help soothe the tonsils. Gargling with salt

water first thing in the morning is a proven home remedy to treat the tonsils and also

helps reduce infection and inflammation. Removing the white spots with a cotton swab

is also recommended. The solidified food and mucus can cause halitosis or bad breath. A

gargle of lemon juice or concentrate made by boiling fenugreek seeds in water is also

advisable to treat tonsillitis.

7. Drinking plenty of liquids is an ideal way to stay hydrated without affecting the

tonsillitis. Herbal teas, fresh fruit and vegetable juices are ideal liquids that can help

rejuvenate your system and help heal the tonsillitis faster. Avoid the intake of solids or

any kind of foods that aggravate or cause irritation. Substitute regular solid meals with

softer foods such as soups, porridges and juices. It is advisable to avoid smoking to

reduce irritation to the tonsils.

8. It is important to note that tonsillitis is contagious and infection causing bacteria or virus

can be passed from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or using infected

accessories. It is advisable to wash the hands frequently to avoid passage of infection.

Similarly, avoiding the use of personal accessories, toiletries or utensils of the person

suffering tonsillitis is recommended. You should also ensure that you use a fresh

toothbrush after the tonsil condition improves. Rest and appropriate care should help

resolve the tonsillitis in a short span of time.

Home Remedy For Tonsillitis

One of the best home remedies for tonsillitis includes a glass of warm water with four teaspoons of honey, a quarter teaspoon of common salt and a fresh lime squeezed in it.

Drink it twice in a day. Another effective remedy would be to drink a glass of boiled milk, with a pinch of

turmeric powder and pepper powder added to it, before sleeping. Have this for three nights in a row.

Combination of carrot, beet and cucumber juice is beneficial in curing tonsillitis. Mix 300 ml of carrot juice, 100 ml of beet juice, and 100 ml of cucumber juice and drink once in a day.

In 50ml of milk, boil 12 gm of Viola odorata flowers. Strain the milk, cool it and drink. The strained residue is also useful in treating tonsillitis. Fry it in a little clarified butter and wear it around the throat, as a poultice, at night.

In half a liter of water, add 2 tbsp fenugreek seeds and simmer it for half an hour. Let it

cool for sometime. Strain the water and gargle with it twice a day. It would be helpful in treating tonsillitis.

In a grinder, mix equal quantities of mustard, horseradish seeds, jute seeds, flaxseeds, barley and radish seeds. Make a paste out of the mixture and apply it over the tonsils.

Burn a few twigs of water hyacinth plant, to produce ashes. Put the ashes in mustard oil and apply it over the tonsils. This is a good way to reduce inflammation.

Soak the roots of white pea in water. Grind them after a few minutes. Drink this water every morning and then eat a chapatti, smeared with ghee.

Scoop out the pulp of bitter tumbi. Now, fill the kernel of the fruit, from which the pulp has been removed, with water and keep aside for few hours. Drink a little of this water, everyday, for a week. This is an effective way to cure tonsillitis.

Another useful home remedy would be to boil some dry figs and grind them. Add water to it, to make a paste. Apply it over the throat.

In a bowl of water, add a portion of babul tree bark and let it boil. Allow it to simmer for 20 minutes. Once cool, strain the decoction and use it for gargling.

An effective home remedy would be to cut a lemon into two halves. Sprinkle some black pepper and salt on one of the halves and press it inside with a spoon. Keep licking the lemon till the entire juice has been extracted. Repeat the process two times a day.

Consuming a diet comprising entirely of fruits, for three to four days, would help in treating the tonsillitis

The Homeopathic Treatment of Tonsillitis Homeopathy offers many remedies that are known to treat tonsillitis successfully, even where the condition has become chronic - with repeated and painful episodes. The main aim of homeopathic treatment is to avoid surgery, and the damage that this can do to our immune system. A good description of the many homeopathic remedies known to treat Tonsilitis is given on the Similima website (click here), from which these remedy pictures are taken. BELLADONNA - congested’ red, hot face and skin, ‘Strawberry’ tongue, right side is worse ARS-IOD - Scrofulous affections. Tonsils swollen, burning, Persistently irritating, corrosive discharges, Breath fetid and glandular involvement CAPSICUM -Tonsillitis, burning and smarting sensation as from cayenne pepper, not better by heat, Constriction of throat. Intense soreness, Inflamed, dark red, swollen CANTHARIS - Inflammation of throat with severe burning and rawness, Great constriction of throat and larynx, with suffocation on any attempt to swallow water FERR PHOS – Chronic enlarged hyperaemic tonsils, smooth swelling. Right sided. The typical Ferr Phos subject is nervous, sensitive, anaemic with the false plethora and easy flushing. Prostration marked. Worse Night, 4-6pm, touch, jarring, motion. Better for cold applications

KALI-IOD - Suited to pale, delicate, subjects with glandular swellings. Extreme sensitiveness of parts affected. Nocturnal aggravation. Discharges are ichorous, corrosive and green LACHESIS - Left tonsils affected, tendency to go to right. Throat purplish. Sense of constriction, as if something was swollen which must be swallowed. External throat extremely sensitive to touch. Liquids more painful. Pain radiates to ear. Better hot drinks. Worse after sleep LAC CANINUM - Begins on left side, changing from side to side every few hours or days. Sensitive to touch externally. Constant inclination to swallow, painful almost impossible. Pain extends to ears. Sore throat and cough are apt to begin and end with menses. Probably no remedy presents a more valuable pathogenesis in symptoms of the throat LYCOPODIUM - Chronic enlargement of tonsils, which are covered with small ulcers. Affects right side, right to left. Children weak, emaciated, with well developed head, but puny, sickly bodies. Worse 4-8 pm, cold drinks. Better for warm drinks MERCURIUS - More advanced stage, when pus has formed, great swelling, whole fauces deep redtonsils darker than any other parts, ulcers form. Profuse sweating without relief. Profuse salivation, breath offensive. Tongue large flabby with imprint of teeth. Moist tongue with thirst. Worse at night, damp, cold rainy weather MERCURIUS IODATUS FLAVUS - Right sided. Throat affections with greatly swollen glands. Tongue coated thickly yellow at the base. Constant inclination to swallow. Better for cold drinks MERCURIUS IODATUS RUBER - Left sided with marked glandular swelling. Parenchymatous tonsillitis. Will often abort peri-tonsillitis if given frequently BARYA CARB - Suppurating tonsils from every cold, stitching and smarting pain, worse for empty swallowing. Can swallow only liquids. Tonsils inflamed with swollen veins. HEP.SULPH - Sensation as if a plug and of a splinter in throat. Quinsy with impending suppuration.

ECHINACEA - Tonsils purple or black, grey exudation extending to post.nares and air passages.Eucalyptus, Tonsils enlarged, ulcerated and throat inflamed NITRIC ACID - Suited to thin persons of rigid fibre, dark complexions, black hair and eyes. Catches cold easily. Sensation of splinter in throat, worse from touch. Extreme fetidity and corrosiveness of all discharges. Chilly, loves salt and fat. Depressed and anxious. Worse, evening and night, cold climate. Better riding in car.

KALI MUR - Valuable remedy in a/c or c/c tonsillitis with much swelling. Almost a specific in follicular tonsillitis. Throat has a gray look, spotted with white NAT MUR - Especially for the anaemic and cachetic. Great emaciation, losing flesh while eating well. Great liability to take cold. Craving for salt, aversion to bread. Consolation aggravates. Worse in heat of sun, by sea shore. Better in open air, cold bathing NUX VOMICA - Patient Is irritable and oversensitive to external impression. Coryza dry at night, fluent by day, worse warm room, better cold air. Easily chilled, avoids open air. Frequent ineffectual urging for stool. Worse morning, cold air, damp wet weather IODUM - Persons of a scrofulous diathesis, dark complexioned with enlarged lymphatic glands Great emaciation, ravernous appetite. Acute exacerbation of c/c inflammation. Hot patients, worse in warm room, better walking in open air PHOSPHOROUS - Adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament. Great susceptibility to external impression. Thirst for very cold water. Burning sensation in throat. Hoarseness and aphonia, worse evening. Worse lying on left side. Worse evening, thunder storm, from warm into cold air PHYTOLACCA - Pre-eminently a glandular remedy. Right sided tonsillitis, dark red colour, uvula large dropsical, almost translucent. Burning as from a coal, of fire or red hot iron, dryness. Sensation of lump in the throat. Pain shoots from throat into ears on swallowing. Quinsy. Worse hot drinks PSORINUM - Especially adapted to psoric constitution. In chronic cases when well selected remedies fails to relieve or permanently improve. Great sensitiveness to cold. Tonsils greatly swollen, difficult painful swallowing. Profuse offensive saliva. Tough mucus in throat, must hawk continually. Eradicates tendency to quinsy. Worse for change of weather. Better for heat PULSATILLA - Mild, gentle, yielding disposition. Symptoms ever changing. Discharges are thick, bland and yellowish green. Aversion to fatty, warm food and drinks. Thirstlessness with dry mouth.Desires open air. Worse for warm close room, in the evening. Better open air, cold air and room SANGUNARIA - Right sided tonsillitis. Burning sensation. Circumscribed red cheeks Tongue white, feels scalded. Quinsy SEPIA - Left side inflamed, much swelling with little redness. Sensation of lump in throat. Waked with sensation as if had swallowed something which has struck in the throat. Contraction of throat when swallowing. Sepia is chilly, indifferent. White or gray coating at the base of tongue. Intolerant to cold and closed places

SILICEA - Cold, chilly, hugs the fire. Wants plenty of warm clothing, hates drafts, hands and feel cold, worse in winter. Scrofulous rachitic children, much sweating about the head. Ailments, caused by suppressed foot sweat. Periodical quinsy, pricking as of a pin in tonsil. Colds settle in throat. Bad effects of vaccination SOLANUM-NIGRUM - Throat sore as if burnt, stitches in right side of throat. Raw sensation, painful swallowing, solids or liquids, worse on swallowing, at times stitches shooting to drum of right ear. Left tonsils swollen. Feeling as if splinter in right tonsil. SULPHUR - When carefully selected remedies fail to produce a favourable effect, especially in acute cases. Chronic sore throat. Burning and dryness in throat. Complaints that are continually relapsing. Scrofulous, psoric, chronic diseases that result from suppressed eruption. For lean, stoop shouldered persons, standing is the worst position. Children dislike washing. Worse when standing, and for warmth of bed TUBERCULINUM - Tubercular diathesis, tall, slim, flat, narrow chest. Active and precocious mentally, weak physically. When symptoms are constantly changing and well selected remedies fails to improve. Patient takes cold from the slightest exposure. Emaciation rapid and pronounced. Enlarged tonsil. Aversion to meat THUJA - Swelling of tonsils and throat. Accumulation of a large quantity of tenacious mucus in mouth. Throat feels raw, dry, as from a plug, or as if it were constricted when swallowing. Ill effects of vaccination. Sweat only on uncovered parts or all over except head, stops when he wakes. Profuse sour smelling fetid at night. Worse in cold damp air, at night, 3am and 3pm GELSEMIUM - Painful spot deep in tonsil, hurting out of proportion on swallowing, Red, inflamed throat, pain streaking to ear, rapid progress. GUAIACUM - One of the most useful remedies at the commencement of an attack, especially of catarrhal tonsillitis. The characteristics are violent burning, headache, throat hot, chill and aching in back and limbs; abscesses form quickly. In the 1x frequently repeated it will often abort. RAPHANUS - Heat and burning in throat, at times, chiefly in tonsils, with lancinations. Swelling, redness and pain in tonsils, as if raw. STAPHISAGRIA- Tonsillitis, on swallowing a stitch runs up from throat into ear. Both tonsils inflamed and swollen. SABADILLA - It is useful when the disease begins on the left side and extends to the right. The pain is worse from empty swallowing and is relieved by warm drinks. Sometimes there is a sensation as of a thread or string in the throat or else, a sense of constriction

COLCHICUM - Tonsils inflamed and swollen, here and there spots covered with pus; difficult swallowing; Throat dry, with flow of watery saliva; nausea and discomfort CUPRUM MET - Tonsils, palate and fauces red and inflamed; dull, piercing pain in left tonsils. Worse from external touch DROSERA - Dry, but not shining, mucous membrane. Muscles of pharynx swollen. Deglutition painful; incessant cough, sometimes ending in vomiting. Colour of throat of a dark coppery red. ELAPS CORALUM - Tonsils swollen so that no passage is visible, deglutition impossible, throat sensitive to touch MANCINELLA - Great swelling and suppuration of tonsils, with danger of suffocation; whistling breathing. Yellowish-white ulcers on tonsils, with violent burning pain; great elongation of uvula; offensive breath. PETROLEUM - Angina granulosa, with stitches in ears during swallowing and burning in neck; slimy, flat or putrid taste in mouth, with mucous secretions or dry sore throat. PLUMBUM MET - Tonsils inflamed, covered with small, painful abscesses. Angina granulosa, going from left to right; fluids can be swallowed, but solid food comes back into the mouth RANUNCULUS - Swelling of tonsils, with shooting stitches in them; scraping or burning in throat SINAPIS NIGRA - Sore, hot pains, with sensation of extreme dryness of throat and tongue, Tongue thickly coated, fissured in median line; voice nasal; hardly any thirst. SANGUINARIA - Rough, dry constricted, burning. Right tonsil sore. Swallowing difficult. TEPLITZ - Pain in throat without redness, on swallowing. Swelling of uvula and tonsils with difficulty in swallowing. Swelling of cervical glands. USTILAGO - Frequent attack of tonsillitis. Tonsils are congested and enlarged. The left tonsils is esp. affected. It looks large and dusky. There is intense pain on swallowing, lancinating pain extents from the tonsils to ear. The throat is dry and there is feeling of lump, behind the larynx which make the swallow constantly.