In some cases, tonsils may become enlarged without fever. Enlarged tonsils without fever require the same attention and treatment approach to avoid the development of complications.
Author:
- Chuprikov Roman Sergeevich
ENT pathology expert
3.41 (Votes: 32)
Tonsils (tonsils) are an important organ of the human immune system, involved in protecting the body from harmful carriers and preventing their spread. Their main task is to identify pathogenic microorganisms and produce antibodies to fight them.
Enlarged tonsils themselves are not a disease, but a symptom. They can increase:
- with infection;
- with genetically determined hypertrophy;
- for blood diseases (lymphoproliferative diseases);
- for autoimmune diseases;
- for allergic inflammation and swelling.
Usually these processes are accompanied by an increase in temperature, but in some cases the tonsils can enlarge without an increase in temperature. This often forces one to delay a visit to the doctor, since temperature is considered a marker of the disease. But enlarged tonsils without fever require the same attention and treatment approach to avoid the development of complications.
Under what conditions can tonsils be enlarged without fever?
Without an increase in temperature, the tonsils can become inflamed due to:
- Allergies. Enlarged tonsils often occur in people prone to allergies. Allergens include various substances - animal hair, dust, pollen, food, insects, household chemicals.
- Fungal infection. The following symptoms are observed: sore throat, dry mouth, visible cheesy coating on the mucous membrane.
- Dry air. Due to constant inhalation of dry air, the mucous membrane of the larynx dries out, causing the tonsils to swell. Working in polluted conditions also leads to this.
- Smoking. Tobacco smoke burns the mucous membrane, which can result in swelling of the tonsils.
- Some forms of sore throat (tonsillitis). The biological meaning of an increase in temperature during infectious diseases is to accelerate the death of pathogenic carriers in an environment with high temperatures. Consequently, if the body temperature has not increased, it means that the number of infectious carriers that have entered the body is small. Usually, if the infection was minor, then the person easily and quickly suffers from this illness. But with enlarged tonsils and no temperature, we can talk about an untreated acute inflammatory process in the tissues of the tonsils and its transition to chronic. In this case, the recovery process will take longer, and in addition, there is a possibility of complications developing. Both variants of pathologies require examination and prescription of correct treatment by an otolaryngologist.
Sore throat: how to quickly cure a sore throat, tonsils, tonsillitis
In this article we will talk about how to treat a sore throat in adults and children with sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, and inflamed tonsils at home. You will learn why you don’t always need to take antibiotics for a sore throat. And what are the risks of removing tonsils (tonsil removal).
So. It is believed that throat diseases - chronic tonsillitis, inflammation of the tonsils, frequently recurring sore throats - are quite difficult to cure. And doctors often treat these diseases without thinking much about the consequences of treatment for the patient’s health.
For example, many doctors for a sore throat, and indeed for any throat disease, constantly prescribe their patients to take antibiotics . However, antibiotics when taken frequently or for a long time can reduce immunity. In addition, a sore throat can be caused not by bacteria, but by viruses - and antibiotics do not work against them!
If the case is chronic, doctors in most cases recommend solving the problem radically - by removing the tonsils . They removed the tonsils - and that’s it, there seemed to be no problems.
But the tonsils - tonsils - are our frontier, they are the gates, the body’s protection from the penetration of any infection into the body. In addition, they produce immune cells!
The tonsils hold the first line of defense against various microorganisms that enter our body with inhaled air. And if you remove your tonsils, your chances of contracting one or another airborne infection increase.
In addition, after such an operation you can get serious heart problems or kidney inflammation. And after removal of the tonsils, allergic diseases can begin! That is, surgery to remove tonsils can serve as a trigger for the development of a number of other diseases!
Therefore, it is necessary to remove tonsils - tonsils - only as a last resort! I emphasize! - only in the most extreme case!, when no other methods have helped, and the inflammation of the tonsils is very severe.
Instead of all this - instead of using antibiotics, instead of removing tonsils - let's try to cure the throat in simple, effective and practically harmless ways. Moreover, we will try to cure your throat in just a few days!
Use one of the methods:
Iodinol
You can use a very cheap and effective, but partly forgotten remedy called Iodinol - blue iodine. You need to buy a 1% solution of iodinol at the pharmacy.
How to use iodinol to effectively treat a throat:
IMPORTANT! Before you start using iodinol, there is one thing to consider. A small number of people are severely allergic to iodine (and therefore to iodinol). Therefore, before the first use, moisten a cotton wool with undiluted iodinol, and with this cotton wool apply iodinol to the skin in the elbow area (this is the place where blood is usually taken from a vein). If any strong reaction occurs in this area after applying iodinol - itching, redness of the skin, skin rashes - then you should not use iodinol to gargle.
If no unexpected reactions occur, you can start gargling with a solution of iodinol.
First you need to dilute it with water. The problem, however, is that almost none of the manufacturers write about how to properly dilute iodinol to treat a throat. Therefore, the same recommendation, copied from each other, is circulating on the Internet - dilute 1 tablespoon of iodinol in a glass of water, and gargle with the resulting solution 3-4 times a day.
This is true for children over 5 years old. But for adults the recommendation is slightly different:
For the first time (during the first rinse), you can actually do just this: dilute 1 tablespoon of iodinol in a glass of water, and gargle with the resulting solution. If you tolerated the first procedure well, then with the following rinses the concentration of the solution can be increased:
You need to take a glass of lukewarm water and dilute 2 tablespoons of iodinol in it. You need to gargle with the resulting solution 3-4 times a day. After gargling, it is advisable not to drink or eat for 15 minutes.
This treatment in most cases helps cure a sore throat in 3-4 days. Chronic tonsillitis usually heals in one to two weeks.
Side effects of iodinol:
IMPORTANT! It must be borne in mind that in rare cases, when using iodinol, a person may experience adverse reactions, for example: runny nose, salivation, lacrimation, urticaria, allergic skin reactions, rapid pulse, nervousness, sleep disturbances, increased sweating, loose stools. In all these cases, the use of iodinol must be stopped immediately!
Quincke's edema occurs very rarely; this will require the help of doctors. However, all this mainly happens when iodinol is used incorrectly, and to avoid this, you simply need to use iodinol correctly - see above.
Contraindications:
IMPORTANT! Iodinol should not be used for more than 2 weeks in a row. Iodinol is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to iodine, thyrotoxicosis, increased thyroid function and autoimmune thyroiditis. Iodinol should not be used to treat pregnant or breastfeeding women.
The story with children under 5 years old is not entirely clear. Some manufacturers of this medicine write that iodinol should not be used to treat children under 5 years of age. Others write that young children can gargle or lubricate their throats with iodine.
However, let's use another method to treat children under 5 years of age: if the child already knows how to gargle, then chlorhexidine solution can be successfully used for gargling.
Adults can also gargle with this product. Provided, of course, that you (or your child) are not allergic to it.
Chlorhexidine
At the pharmacy you need to buy a bottle of 0.05% solution. There is no need to dilute this chlorhexidine solution!
You need to gargle with this solution 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is from 3 to 14 days.
Before using Chlorhexidine as a gargle, it is recommended that you first rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Next, gargling is carried out as follows: take 1-2 tablespoons of the solution and gargle for about 30 seconds.
After gargling, it is advisable not to eat or drink anything for 1 hour.
According to the instructions, an overdose of the drug is impossible. But if you accidentally drank chlorhexidine, or swallowed a large amount of this medicine, you need to drink several tablets of activated charcoal, or, as a last resort, wash your stomach.
Contraindications when gargling with chlorhexidine: - High sensitivity to the components of the product. - Do not use at the same time with other antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide, etc.). — For the treatment of children, use with caution (make sure that the child does not drink the solution).
If the rinse is used for too long (longer than 2-3 weeks), taste sensations may change, tartar appears, and teeth discoloration may occur.
Note. You can also use Miramistin solution to gargle, but it is more expensive. In addition, some people write that it helps less than chlorhexidine, and it is also sometimes counterfeited.
Rinse with soda-saline solution
In case of traffic jams and plaque on the tonsils, rinsing with a soda-saline solution is carried out. Add a teaspoon of soda, a teaspoon of salt and 2-3 drops of iodine to one glass of water. You need to gargle 5-6 times a day = 5-14 days.
Eucalyptus tincture
It is very useful for adults and children over 3 years old to gargle with eucalyptus tincture - if there is no allergy to it, of course. The tincture must be purchased at a pharmacy. For rinsing, use 10–15 drops per glass of water 3–4 times a day. - 10 days.
Aloe juice
You can buy Aloe juice at the pharmacy. It needs to be dissolved in the mouth - a teaspoon 1-2 times a day, the course of treatment is up to 2-3 weeks. It is used to treat adults and children under 12 years of age, provided there are no contraindications (read the instructions first).
IMPORTANT!
All these gargles may not be enough to treat severe sore throat or chronic treatment! It is necessary to intensify treatment using the following methods:
1. Find on the Internet a special exercise for the throat called LION POSE. This exercise should be done immediately before gargling.
2. For chronic tonsillitis, it would be useful to use an ultraviolet quartz irradiator “Sun” with a throat attachment. It can be purchased in medical supply stores or online. The cost of such devices at the beginning of 2021 is approximately 2-3 thousand rubles.
Requires careful handling! The device must be used strictly according to its instructions. Yes, and it cannot be used often, the course of treatment is 1-2 times a year.
3. What else needs to be done in most cases with chronic throat diseases is to increase immunity.
Moreover, from my point of view, this is best done with the help of medicinal plants. For example, for throat diseases, my favorite ALOE is very useful - especially in the form of subcutaneous injections into the arm. Let me remind you that aloe injections cannot be given into the muscle.
Aloe in injections
Buy liquid aloe extract for injection, 1 ml ampoules. Inject with an insulin syringe - subcutaneously!!!, and not intramuscularly, that is, inject into the arm. The course of treatment is daily or every other day, at least 10 injections, but in severe cases - up to 20 injections.
Attention! Aloe for injection has contraindications! Please read the instructions carefully before use! Contraindications: Severe cardiovascular diseases, severe arterial hypertension, acute gastrointestinal disorders, nephrosonephritis, pregnancy.
4. The main thing! While treating your throat, do not forget to drink plenty of warm liquids. You need to drink 1–1.5 liters of plain water (warm or room temperature) daily. Cranberry juice or decoction with lingonberry leaves are useful.
5. Sugar and sweets, especially sweet drinks, should be removed from the diet.
6. It is necessary to treat your teeth in a timely manner - chronic tonsillitis often develops as a result of diseases of the gums and teeth (caries, pulpitis).
***
The author of the article is Dr. Evdokimenko©. Attention! When copying or reprinting materials, be sure to indicate the source! All articles, news and book chapters are protected by copyright P.V. Evdokimenko©
Features of the condition with enlarged tonsils without fever
Even at normal body temperature, but in the presence of pathological processes in the body, a person may feel completely unwell. Inflammation of the tonsils without fever, regardless of the cause, can interfere with a normal lifestyle and be accompanied by:
- headache;
- sore throat;
- lack of appetite;
- difficulty swallowing;
- dryness and sore throat;
- enlarged lymph nodes and pain on palpation;
- fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, decreased performance, irritability.
Diagnosis of pharyngitis
Detection of all types of pharyngitis begins with a visual examination of the larynx using a special device and taking an anamnesis. A throat swab is also taken for examination to test for diphtheria.
Other types of diagnostics:
- Cultural examination - inoculation of taken materials on a nutrient medium.
- Rapid diagnosis - identification of streptococcal antigen in throat swabs.
- Immunoserological diagnosis - the method is used in case of streptococcal infection.
Laboratory research:
- Complete blood count – exclusion of blood diseases, infectious mononucleosis;
- A general urine test helps rule out kidney disease (glomerulonephritis).
Depending on the symptoms of the disease, as well as the condition of the larynx, the presence or absence of cough, fever, plaque on the tonsils and soreness and increased size of the lymph nodes, additional consultations with other specialists may be necessary: an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, an allergist.
Treatment of enlarged tonsils without fever
Before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to establish the cause of inflammation of the tonsils.
If the cause is an infectious or fungal infection, then the patient is prescribed a course of antibacterial therapy, treatment of the throat and mucous membranes with special preparations, infusions into the larynx, rinsing the tonsils, and taking vitamin complexes to support the immune system.
If conservative treatment is ineffective, a tonsillectomy may be prescribed - surgical removal of the tonsils. Most often, this is an indication for the treatment of chronic tonsillitis, which occurs with toxic-allergic manifestations and seriously interferes with a person’s comfortable life.
If swelling of the tonsils is associated with external factors - smoking, working in unsuitable conditions, attacks by allergens, the doctor will advise correction of lifestyle or environmental conditions, and taking supportive medications.
Treatment without surgery
Conservative treatment includes general and local drug therapy, physiotherapy, lavage of lacunae and other methods of cleansing the tonsils. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory agents are prescribed.
Conservative therapy is widely used in modern otorhinolaryngology. But it does not always completely cure tonsillitis. The tonsils may remain enlarged even after drug suppression of the infection and deep cleansing; the risk of relapses and complications remains. In approximately 1/3 of patients, it becomes necessary to treat the disease surgically.
Prevention
To prevent pathological enlargement of the tonsils, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Increase immunity: eat properly and well, exercise, exercise, give up bad habits, and maintain proper sleep patterns.
- Avoid provoking factors: do not overcool, humidify the air in the room, remove allergens from the environment.
- Treat infectious diseases promptly at the very beginning and prevent them from becoming chronic.
- Carry out preventive gargling and rinsing of tonsil lacunae. These procedures are carried out in our clinic, and our doctors will be happy to advise you about them.
If you are concerned about enlarged tonsils without fever, make an appointment with otolaryngologists at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic - you will receive comprehensive consultations and quality treatment.
Complications with purulent sore throat
The disease is dangerous due to its complications, which can affect not only the respiratory system, but also spread to other human organs.
One of the common pathologies is the transition from an acute form of the disease to a chronic form (chronic tonsillitis). In chronic tonsillitis, inflammation is constantly present in the tonsils, and exacerbations occur 2-3 times a year, and in severe cases, more often.
Delayed treatment of the disease can lead to inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), joint diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) and kidneys (glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis). It is possible that a sore throat may develop into an abscess. This happens when the infectious pathogen has little space in the thickness of the palatine tonsil, and streptococcus begins to look for new sites for itself. Thus, inflammation can move to the paratonsillar and parapharyngeal tissue and provoke a paratonsillar or parapharyngeal abscess.
The pathologies listed above are powerful arguments for promptly starting treatment for purulent tonsillitis.
