Why does one side of my tonsils hurt when I swallow?
Tonsillitis Tonsillitis describes inflammation of one or more tonsil. The tonsils are located at the back of the throat, and a virus or bacterium usually causes the infection and inflammation. An infection in just one tonsil can cause pain on one side. It may also cause a fever, trouble swallowing, and noisy breathing.
What does it mean when your tonsils are swollen and hurts to swallow?
Your tonsils may be infected, causing pain when you swallow. Children and teens most often have tonsillitis. Swollen lymph nodes can also occur with tonsillitis. You may experience tonsillitis because of a virus or bacterial infection.
What does it mean when only one tonsil is swollen?
What causes one swollen tonsil? If you’ve noticed only one seemingly swollen tonsil on your child (or yourself), it could be a peritonsillar abscess. A peritonsillar abscess forms at the back of the mouth and manifests as a pus-filled tissue next to one tonsil.
Should I be worried if one tonsil is swollen?
If there is any question or concern as to why one tonsil is larger than the other, it can be removed and sent for analysis. Recurrent (middle) ear infections (“recurrent acute otitis media”): These infections commonly cause symptoms of earache, raised temperature and sometimes discharge from the ear.
Can strep throat only affect one tonsil?
Causes of a Peritonsillar Abscess A peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis. The bacteria involved are similar to those that cause strep throat. Streptococcal bacteria most commonly cause an infection in the soft tissue around the tonsils (usually just on one side).
Can you get tonsillitis on one side?
You have two tonsils, one on each side of your throat, just behind your tongue. Sometimes tonsillitis only affects one tonsil, creating a sore throat on one side. Tonsillitis is usually caused by a viral infection, but bacterial infections can cause it as well.
How do you get rid of one swollen tonsil?
How is tonsillitis treated?
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat soft foods, especially if it hurts to swallow.
- Gargle with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water).
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain.
- Suck on a throat lozenge or hard candy.
- Use a cool-misthumidifier to moisten the air.
Can you get tonsillitis in just one tonsil?
How long does a swollen tonsil last?
Tonsillitis is an infection or inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are areas of lymph tissue on both sides of the throat, above and behind the tongue. They are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection. Tonsillitis often goes away on its own after 4 to 10 days.
How do you treat one swollen tonsil?
Can you get tonsillitis on one side only?