What is the typical treatment for tonsillitis?

The typical treatment for tonsillitis is antibiotics. Tonsillitis is often caused by bacterial infections, such as Group A Streptococcus, and antibiotics are effective in eradicating the bacterial infection, thereby reducing symptoms and facilitating recovery. In cases where the tonsillitis is viral, antibiotics would not be necessary, but they are the standard treatment when a bacterial cause is confirmed or strongly suspected.

Other treatments might include pain relievers and plenty of fluids, but the cornerstone for bacterial tonsillitis remains the use of antibiotics to address the underlying infection. This treatment can also help prevent complications such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation that can occur from untreated streptococcal infections.

The other options—chest physiotherapy, inhalers, and bronchodilators—are primarily used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are not relevant to tonsillitis. Each of these options targets different health issues, primarily involving the lungs and airways, rather than infections of the throat and tonsils. Thus, antibiotics stand out as the appropriate and typical treatment for tonsillitis.