Is This Cause for Alarm? Unusual Tonsil Swelling
Age: 27, Female For the past month, I've been dealing with what I thought was a recurring case of tonsillitis affecting one side of my throat. Currently, I’m noticing that one tonsil is swelling significantly and seems to be growing larger without any sign of reduction. Additionally, there's a lump in the lymph node on the same side of my neck, which feels hard to the touch. In conjunction with the enlarged tonsil, I've been experiencing breathing difficulties, which are particularly pronounced at night when I lie flat on my back. I've also begun snoring, a change from my usual quiet breathing. My throat feels sore, and there are times when swallowing is a challenge or I feel like I might choke on my saliva or mucus. The tonsil itself appears normal in color, with a few small visible veins, but it is so large that it almost touches my uvula. This swelling has persisted for over five weeks, progressively worsening. I’m questioning whether this is an instance of tonsillitis since antibiotics haven’t alleviated the swelling, nor have aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications provided any relief. Now I’m genuinely worried that this might signify something more serious than just tonsillitis. I find myself uncertain about whether I should wait to see if it gets better on its own or how critical it is to seek medical attention right away. I’m looking for advice on what I might be experiencing—whether this is a pressing issue and if there are any home remedies I could try in the meantime.
Answers (1)
8/13/2025, 11:10:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned when dealing with persistent and worsening symptoms, especially around your throat and breathing. The significant swelling of one tonsil, the hard lump in the lymph node, and the associated breathing difficulties do warrant attention.
Explanation
Your symptoms suggest that you could be experiencing an infection or another condition affecting your tonsils and lymph nodes, such as chronic tonsillitis or even a peritonsillar abscess. The fact that swelling has occurred for over five weeks and is accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing is particularly concerning. Typically, tonsillitis improves with time or treatment, and the symptoms you describe could indicate a need for further evaluation.
Next Steps
-
Prioritize Immediate Evaluation: Given your breathing difficulties, especially while lying flat, it's essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If symptoms worsen or you experience severe difficulty in breathing, consider going to an urgent care or emergency room.
-
Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms, such as increased swelling, pain, difficulty swallowing, or worsening breathing difficulties. This information will be helpful for healthcare providers.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist, which may help alleviate some discomfort. Warm liquids such as herbal tea or broth can be soothing.
-
Avoid Irritants: Stay away from smoke and strong scents, which can irritate your throat further.
-
Try Warm Compresses: Applying a warm (not hot) compress to the outside of your throat may provide some relief from pain and swelling.
-
Rest: Ensure you’re getting enough rest, as this can support your immune system during this time.
Reassurance
While it’s natural to feel anxious about these symptoms, prioritizing evaluation and care is the best course of action. Seeking medical attention will clarify your condition and help develop an appropriate treatment plan. You’re taking the right steps by addressing this concern. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support or have someone accompany you for your appointment.
Related Questions
Persistent Boil on Foot Issue
Hello everyone, I'm a 37-year-old male from the UK. For over six weeks now, I have been dealing with a boil on my foot. The issues began with some mild itching, which eventually developed into a noticeable boil. Around three weeks ago, the boil ruptured, and I managed to clean and drain it carefully. I believed that would resolve the problem. It scabbed over, but the hardened area surrounding it remained unchanged. Just yesterday, my foot became swollen, and the boil burst again, releasing some pus. I experienced a slight fever of 37.9°C, but it subsided after about an hour, leaving me with no further symptoms apart from the swelling in my foot. This morning, I consulted with my general practitioner. The doctor prescribed Fucidin and assured me it would suffice for treatment. While I’m not a medical professional, I understand that topical treatments often don’t penetrate deeply into the skin and, given the apparent signs of cellulitis, I believe oral antibiotics might be necessary. I expressed my concerns to the doctor, highlighting that this issue has persisted for quite some time and that I have already tried using compresses and maintaining cleanliness, but to no avail. She dismissed my worries and suggested I apply compresses several times a day along with the ointment, implying that perhaps I hadn’t been using them effectively (which I found quite amusing). Should I consider visiting A&E or another facility, or would it be advisable to continue using the Fucidin for a week and monitor the situation? Thank you for your advice!
Stunted Growth Since Adolescence
At 19 years old, I stand at 5 feet 4 inches tall, and I have not seen any increase in my height since I was 12. I don't think I've experienced any nutritional deficiencies because I've been consistently working out at the gym twice a week and have been gradually gaining muscle. Therefore, I doubt I have a growth hormone issue. Could this situation be solely attributed to genetics? Or am I possibly just a late developer? Also, I've started to notice some acne over the past few months.
Spider Bite: A Cautionary Tale
Last weekend, from August 8th to 10th, I traveled to Oregon for a wedding and stayed in a basement-level AirBnB that had been refurbished. Upon arriving, I spotted a door that seemed to lead to a garage or storage area; it had noticeable gaps around its edges, allowing me to peek inside the locked space. The view revealed a clutter of gardening tools, old paint cans, abandoned cat supplies, and a thick layer of dust with cobwebs—quite reminiscent of a classic horror film’s eerie garage scenes. While I noted the oddity of the door, I soon put it out of my mind and continued enjoying the stay. Unfortunately, within the first day, I found myself removing two spiders from the place. My friend, terrified of one due to its size, decided to flush it down the toilet—another detail I made note of. Having lived in a basement myself before, I understood that spider encounters weren’t entirely unusual in such settings. Upon returning home to Seattle on August 10th, I reached into my friend’s car to grab a bag and noticed a sudden pain in my hip. After stepping inside, I found a bite mark that was slightly pink with a white center, leading me to suspect it was from a spider. The discomfort intensified, making it hard to lie on my right side, while my partner insisted it was simply a severe mosquito bite, considering my reputation for reacting dramatically to them. The next day, August 11th, the affected area had darkened noticeably and swelling became evident. The wound felt warm, prompting my anxiety to flare up. I decided to visit the doctor for an evaluation. After waiting for over two hours, I received a prescription for Cephalexin and Mupirocin Ointment but didn't have the chance to discuss my symptoms in detail with the physician. By the following day, August 12th, the pain had escalated and the heat emanating from the wound was alarming. Blisters began to form, popping and reappearing unpredictably. Following the instructions on my discharge paperwork regarding worsening symptoms, I ultimately made my way to the emergency room. At the ER, I was given Sulfameth/Trimethoprim and instructed to carry on with the antibiotics while keeping an eye on my symptoms. On August 13th, I didn’t visit the doctor despite experiencing sharp pains at the bite site; I simply focused on resting and sticking to my antibiotic plan. Later that evening, after a lengthy nap, I noticed a concerning red streak extending from the wound. I immediately contacted my primary care provider via MyChart, and they advised me to return to the clinic on August 14th. During my visit, I reported that both hot and cold compresses were painful and explained the significant swelling affecting my skin, which appeared to be dented in some areas. I expressed my discomfort that extended down my leg as well. However, the attending doctor, who wasn't my regular physician, dismissed my concerns as there was no visible discharge or fever, and suggested I let the antibiotics continue to work. She then outlined my wound with a used marker, stating that I should return if it spread. That evening, I began to feel a sore throat, my lymph nodes felt swollen, and my temperature rose to 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit. After reviewing my discharge instructions, I decided not to return to the clinic, not wanting to burden the medical staff with what I thought might be minor concerns. Upon waking on August 15th, I noticed a stiffness accompanying the pain in my leg, and the size of the wound had increased significantly. It felt hot, leaving me unsure of my next steps as I was still taking the prescribed Cephalexin and Sulfameth. Though I recognize I can be overly sensitive regarding my health, my past experiences—where my complaints weren’t taken seriously—continue to affect my caution. I once battled misdiagnoses leading to further complications, such as a severe kidney infection after being treated incorrectly for a mild UTI. That history has made me vigilant about my health. My mother has been adding to my worries; she often teases me for being dramatic over my health concerns. Ironically, when I expected her to minimize the situation, she encouraged me to seek help at the ER. I find myself wishing someone would assure me I don’t need to seek further medical attention, but I'm also seeking advice. What do you suggest I do? Thank you for reading my lengthy account of events.
Dealing with Impetigo on My Hands
I’m 43 years old, standing at 5'10" and weighing 270 pounds. The symptoms first started late the night before last. At present, I'm not on any medication, I don’t smoke, and I live with PCOS. My daughter showed signs of pink spots on her nose last Thursday. By Friday morning, those spots had transformed into red, moist patches, prompting us to seek medical attention. The clinic's Advanced Practice Nurse prescribed mupirocin, which we began using right away, and thankfully, her condition has improved significantly. However, I’ve since contracted the same infection, and I feel utterly embarrassed and unclean. I’ve been washing my hands consistently and disinfecting surfaces with Lysol spray and wipes throughout the house. As a result, my hands are now extremely dry, and I suspect the lack of gloves while using the wipes may have damaged my skin barrier, increasing my vulnerability. I now have lesions on my hands, nose, and mouth. I’ve started applying mupirocin that we had at home to treat myself. My hands and fingers are experiencing severe stinging and burning sensations and are covered in red bumps. Could this possibly be an adverse reaction to the mupirocin? I’ve reached out to my doctor, but as I’m not a long-time patient, I'm uncertain I’ll be able to see him today since the clinic closes at noon. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm unsure how to minimize the risk of spreading the infection while managing household chores like cooking and cleaning. My anxiety levels are skyrocketing, and I find myself wishing to retreat from it all…
Numbness in My Left Big Toe: Seeking Insights
Hello! I'm a 33-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches and weighing 156 pounds, and I’ve been dealing with a persistent numbness in my left big toe for the past year. This ongoing issue has begun to cause me a bit of concern. I don’t smoke, and my alcohol consumption is quite infrequent. I’m not diabetic and I regularly take care of the calluses on my feet, which I despise. Additionally, I have a history of Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis that primarily impacts my hips and lower back. Alongside the numbness, there’s a brief burning sensation in the affected area that typically lasts between two to five minutes. I wear comfortable shoes and although I used to work in construction, which kept me fairly active, I still try to stay active when I can. Earlier this year, I had my appendix removed, although it turned out I never actually had appendicitis. Currently, I’m on a regimen of Sertraline (100mg) and NSAIDs to help manage my joint discomfort. My partner suspects the numbness might simply stem from my callous, but I’m not convinced since my other toe, which also has a callous, still retains sensation. I realize I should have consulted a doctor about this issue, but I haven’t yet taken that step. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions regarding this condition, as I would like to bring specific information to my healthcare provider.