What is the treatment for coughing fits and severe tonsillitis?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 18 year old female, who is suffering from coughing fits and severe tonsillitis. The coughing fits only come when I am lying down, and I bring up mucus which kills my throat.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well.

Tonsillitis can be caused by certain viruses or bacteria. The family of bacteria which typically causes tonsillitis are called streptococci. Streptococcus is also one of the most common and important causes of tonsillitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It is therefore not uncommon for bacterial tonsillitis to progress to bronchitis or pneumonia if not treated effectively.

The tonsils form part of the pharynx (throat) and often cause severe inflammation in the surrounding throat and vocal cords, leading to throat irritation and coughing. The infection can however like I mentioned, easily spread to the lower airway, causing airway inflammation and obstruction leading to coughing fits.

I strongly recommend you see a trusted physician as soon as you can so that you can be examined and antibiotics can be prescribed. If the cause of your tonsillitis is is bacterial, then steroid inhaler pumps in conjunction with mucolytics (medications which loosen mucous and phlegm) can also be used to open airways and calm coughing fits.

For further queries consult an internal medicine physician online.