Tonsillitis (acute and recurrent)
Also known as: tonsillitis, sore throat, strep throat, quinsy
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils causing sore throat, painful swallowing and fever. Most cases are viral; bacterial cases may need antibiotics. Chinese medicine treats it as Rǔ É (milk moth) with Wind-Heat, Lung-Stomach Heat, or Yin deficiency patterns in recurrent cases.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Most tonsillitis is viral and settles in about a week with rest and fluids.
- •Paracetamol or ibuprofen helps pain and fever.
- •Gargle warm salt water and avoid smoking.
- •See the GP for severe, one-sided, or frequently recurring episodes.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Airway signs (drooling, stridor, inability to swallow) are an emergency — no treatment delay.[,]
- •LU11 prick-bleeding only by trained practitioners with infection control.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Acute: review within days if not settling. Recurrent: track episodes per year; 7+ in a year or 5+ per year for 2 years warrants ENT referral discussion.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- NICE · 2023
- Raising Children Network Australia · 2024
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.