Dr. Frank Brettschneider has served as president of Port Huron Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) since the summer of 1990. In this role, Dr. Frank Brettschneider treats patients who have tonsillitis, among other conditions.
Located at the back of the throat, the tonsils are responsible for catching germs that come in through the airways. On occasion, these tissues become inundated with viruses or bacteria and become infected and inflamed. Treatment for tonsillitis depends on whether the cause is bacterial or viral. If laboratory testing indicates a bacterial infection, injected or oral antibiotics can address it. Symptom relief typically begins within three days, though the patient must finish the course of antibiotics to ensure a complete cure of the infection. Because antibiotics are not effective against viruses, patients with viral tonsillitis must treat its symptoms and wait for the infection to resolve on its own. Physicians typically recommend such common at-home palliative treatments as saltwater gargles, lozenges, and warm beverages. Over-the-counter analgesics, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help ease sore throat pain. Patients who experience persistent or recurring tonsillitis may require surgical removal of the tonsils themselves. This traditionally involves use of a scalpel to cut away the tonsil tissue, though contemporary advances make laser, ultrasonic, or radio wave tonsillectomies available for some individuals.
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AuthorA board-certified otolaryngologist and oro-facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Frank Brettschneider has served patients at Port Huron ENT for more than two decades. Archives
August 2017
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