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How to Survive Tonsillitis

By WTOP Staff

The tonsils are a pair of soft tissue masses located on either side of the back of the throat. The tonsils help trap bacteria and viruses as they enter the body through the throat. Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils and occurs frequently in children, especially between 3 and 7 years of age, but tonsillitis can develop in anyone.

The inflammation due to tonsillitis may involve the adenoids (two tissue masses at the back of the throat). Tonsillitis can range from mild to very severe, and the treatment depends on the cause. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are also major causes of sleep apnea (a breathing problem during sleep), especially in children.

Causes

Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections can also cause tonsillitis. Strep throat is due to common bacteria that can cause tonsillitis.

[Read: Flu vs. the Common Cold: Symptoms and Treatment .]

Symptoms

The symptoms most commonly associated with tonsillitis include:

— Red and swollen tonsils

— Sore throat

— Fever

— Ear pain

— White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils

— Difficult or painful swallowing

— Headache

— Halitosis

— Hoarseness of the voice

Diagnosis

If you think you have tonsillitis, your doctor will examine your throat, check for swollen glands in your neck and ask about your symptoms. Your doctor may also perform tests such as a throat swab or blood work to rule out infections.

Treatments

The treatment of tonsillitis depends on the cause and severity of the tonsillitis. If your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you. It’s important you complete the entire course of antibiotic therapy and take the antibiotic as directed to avoid re-infection.

Tonsillitis due to strep throat is contagious, but the contagious period is typically over after the first 24 hours of antibiotic therapy. In general, strep throat begins to show signs of improvement after two to three days of antibiotic therapy, but you must finish the entire course of therapy.

If your tonsillitis is caused by a virus, your body will fight off the infection on its own. Your doctor may suggest ways you can ease the pain, such as drinking warm or very cold fluids or gargling with warm salt water.

Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment to suit your needs. For frequent episodes of tonsillitis or for enlarged tonsils that hinder breathing, like in sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tonsils. This surgery is called a tonsillectomy. Most people go home within hours of the surgery and typically recover in seven to 14 days.

[Read: Old-School Cold Remedies That Really Work .]

Prevention

While all cases of tonsillitis cannot be prevented, you can decrease your chance of getting tonsillitis by frequently washing your hands with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when water is not available. Good infection control measures include disinfection of household surfaces.

Recovery

The following lifestyle measures can help you recover from tonsillitis:

— Get plenty of rest.

— Use nonprescription anesthetic lozenges or sprays to ease throat pain.

— Make sure you’re adequately hydrated to keep your throat moist and to prevent dehydration.

— Eat foods and drink fluids that help soothe your throat (for example, drink warm liquids such as tea or clear broth; eat cold treats such as ice cream, frozen yogurt or popsicles; let ice chips melt in your mouth).

— Gargle with warm salt water.

— Use an air humidifier to eliminate dry air, which can irritate the throat.

— Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke, fragrances and household chemical cleaning products that can irritate the throat.

— Use an OTC analgesic (pain reliever) to help manage pain or reduce a fever. Discuss the use of an analgesic with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that it’s appropriate and to avoid drug interactions or contraindications, especially in young children or in individuals with preexisting medical conditions or who are taking other medications.

If you have worsening symptoms, difficulty breathing, a high fever or signs of infection, immediately seek medical care from your primary health care provider.

[Read: CDC Director Tom Frieden Talks Flu Vaccines .]

Note: This article was originally published on Sept. 11, 2014 on PharmacyTimes.com. It has been edited and republished by U.S. News. The original version, with references, can be seen here.

More from U.S. News

Old-School Cold Remedies That Really Work

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How to Survive Tonsillitis originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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