How long does it take for tonsillitis to heal?
Aug 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, tonsillitis usually resolves within 5 to 7 days. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a reputable hospital. During the illness, avoid eating spicy or hard foods to reduce irritation to the tonsils. Get plenty of rest, avoid excessive use of the voice, and prevent worsening of throat discomfort. You may also appropriately consume fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and kiwifruit, to help enhance your immune system.
Under normal circumstances, tonsillitis usually resolves within 5-7 days. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a formal hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If the symptoms of tonsillitis are mild, characterized only by slight sore throat and red, swollen throat without fever or with low-grade fever, and the patient has a strong immune system, the condition generally improves within about 5 days if timely measures are taken, such as drinking more warm water, maintaining a bland diet, and ensuring adequate rest. At this stage, the inflammation is limited to the surface of the tonsils without abscess formation, and the body can rapidly activate its immune defenses to combat the infection, gradually reducing throat discomfort and restoring normal swallowing function.
If the symptoms of tonsillitis are severe, presenting with significant sore throat, swollen tonsils with pus, high fever, or if the patient has a weak immune system, the recovery period is relatively longer, generally taking about 7 days. In such cases, the inflammation penetrates deeper tissues, and the body's response to the infection is more complex, requiring a gradual reduction in body temperature, resolution of purulent secretions, and slower symptom relief.
During the illness, avoid eating spicy or hard foods to reduce irritation to the tonsils. Get plenty of rest and avoid excessive voice use to prevent worsening throat discomfort. You may appropriately consume fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and kiwifruit, to help boost immunity. After recovery, maintain good oral hygiene to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
