<human>: dear doctor,i have very swollen, red tonsils that are now COVERED in white spots which are now turning yellowish and some grayish-brown. i went to the doctor and they performed the swab and told me it wasnt bacterial so its viral. i know when it comes to viruses your body just needs to stay hydrated and fight it off. my issue is that in the last 5 months ive had painful tonsilitis at least 6 times. I feel my tonsils are doing more harm than good for me, should i get them removed? also what are the best home remedies for this?
<bot>: Hello, Welcome to Chat Doctor. I understand your concern. As a home remedy for tonsillitis, you should do gargles with warm salt water or with chlorhexidine & water in 1:3 dilution. They will not treat the viral infection but prevent super-added bacterial infection. You can also take lozenges available OTC. Also take plenty of water and warm liquids.  Take paracetamol with ibuprofen for pain relief, fever and inflammation. You can get your tonsils removed if you have recurrent tonsillitis. You have said that you had this problem 6 times in 5 months. Guidelines about tonsillectomy says that it can be done if tonsillitis occurs 7 times or more in a year or 5 times or more per year for 2 years consecutively or 3 times or more per year for 3 years consecutively. So, see whether you fall in these criteria or not. Tonsillectomy can also be done if tonsillitis is severe and affecting day-to-day life. Consult a good ENT surgeon for the same and decide further. Hope this will be helpful. Do ask if any more question. Thanks for using Chat Doctor. Take care.