12/10/2025
Generally, October is usually the hottest month in Zambia and at times tend to have high humidity levels. During this period we all tend to drink cold fluids to maintain our cool. As a consequence, in some people, tonsils may become vulnerable due to the excessive intake of cold fluids or drinks. In this week’s tip, we closely examine tonsillitis.
What is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is a common condition that happens when your tonsils get infected. Symptoms typically include sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Treatment depends on whether the infection is viral or bacterial, and recovery usually takes about one week.
Tonsils are the two small lumps of soft tissue — one on either side — at the back of your throat. You can see your tonsils in a mirror by opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue.
Your tonsils are part of your immune system, and they help trap germs that make you sick. When your tonsils become infected, they get swollen and sore, and swallowing may hurt. The medical term for tonsillitis is “tonsillopharyngitis”, but most people call it a sore throat because that’s what it feels like. Tonsillitis is most common in children and adolescents, but it can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms and causes of Tonsillitis
 Symptoms of tonsillitis:
• Tonsillitis symptoms usually come on suddenly. These may include:
• Sore or scratchy throat.
• Pain or difficulty swallowing.
• Red, swollen tonsils and throat.
• White spots on your tonsils.
• White, yellow or gray coating on your tonsils.
• Fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands on the sides of your neck below your ears).
• Stomachache or vomiting (more common in younger children).
 What are the first signs of tonsillitis?
A sore throat is often the first symptom of tonsillitis. If you develop a sudden sore throat, keep an eye on your tonsils to see if they get red or swollen.
 Causes of Tonsillitis
Viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. But bacterial infections can cause it, too.
• Viral tonsillitis: Viruses like those that cause the common cold and the flu cause up to about 70% of tonsillitis cases. Commonly, people with viral tonsillitis have milder symptoms than those with bacterial tonsillitis.
• Bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat): Bacteria, like Group A Streptococcus, cause other cases of tonsillitis. A common name for bacterial tonsillitis is strep throat. People without tonsils can still get strep throat. (In this case, it affects their throat instead of their tonsils.) Generally, bacterial tonsillitis causes more severe symptoms than viral tonsillitis.
Management and Treatment of Tonsillitis
 Tonsillitis Treatment
Tonsillitis treatment depends on the cause. While symptoms of viral tonsillitis and bacterial tonsillitis can be similar, their treatments are different. Treatment may include:
• Antibiotics, if your infection is bacterial. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics like Penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalexin (Cefalexin) or amoxi-clav. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take the full course of antibiotics, even if you’re feeling better after a couple of days. If you stop taking them too soon, the infection could get worse or spread to another part of your body.
• Pain-relieving medications. Your provider may also recommend over the counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, paracetamol or diclofenac to help with your sore throat. In addition, lozenges can also help to sooth your threat.
 Home remedies
In addition to your healthcare provider’s recommendations, you can relieve the symptoms of viral and bacterial tonsillitis by:
Drinking warm liquids, like tea, apple cider or broth.
Gargling with warm salt water.
Sucking on throat lozenges.
The good news is, at Celta Pharmacy, we have in stock among others, the following medication for the treatment and management of Tonsillitis and other infections.
 Antibiotics
• Clanoxy Tablet (Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium) is a combination medicine used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin.
• Cefalexin Oral suspension –An oral antibiotic used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as Tonsillitis.
 Pain Relievers
• Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is commonly used as a Pain Reliever.
• Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which act to relieve pain and reduce swelling. It can be used to relieve headaches, rheumatic and muscular pain, backache, migraine, period pain, dental pain and neuralgia.
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