Tonsillitis in adults

[MyVisionsComeFromSoup]

DD (18) is on her second round of ABs for tonsillitis since April. We've googled (I know, you're not supposed to, but me and Dr Google are actually pretty good together) and think she has chronic tonsillitis, as her tonsils are absolutely full of tonsil stones, and she doesn't have a temperature or feel ill at all, as you'd expect with "ordinary" tonsillitis, just has "hamster cheeks" and finds the worst tonsil really noticeable when she swallows.

She's had one video consultation and one phone consultation so far, the ABs have mostly cleared it up each time, but don't seem to be properly getting rid of whatever bacteria is causing it.

Any self help stuff she can try as a preventative? As two lots of ABs in three months isn't great. She was also being investigated for IBS-type symptoms before lockdown, and I'm wondering if there's a connection there?

Difflam spray is good if she has swallowing issues. Tonsils do take time to return to original size. Salt water rinse can also help and sometimes get rid of stones as well. If everything fails then get ENT referral. Even if you get a phone referral, they will still do tests.

Gargle with soluble Asprin. Ask for a referral to ENT.

I've had this, recurring tonsillitis from the day you stop taking the antibiotics, a couple of times. I started going straight back in to the Dr because we obviously weren't getting on top of it. Eventually one GP explained to the medical student there that sometimes adults get more unusual or complex mixes of bugs and you need to try a different antibiotic. So we did that, and it fixed it. If she has only had the usual couple of antibiotics they give you for tonsillitis, it might be worth a go.

Large tonsils can affect sleep and all sorts so it is worth getting the tonsil stones looked into once she is over this bout.