Why Would I have Only One Swollen Tonsil?

NURSES AND MDs answer: only one swollen tonsil?

• Hi. I have had one swollen tonsil for two weeks. It has two white spots on it. Before getting the swollen tonsil, I had a runny nose, mild fever (99.6), and a stuffy nose. i was on steroid for a week but it didnt work. What could this be? I look online and I find mono or HIV? HELP!!!

• Answer:

  OK im not a nurse but i can tell you one thing: that has happened to me before. it's probably strep throat. the white things are the strep bacteria. when you have strep, you don't necessarily have to have both tonsils swollen. strep bacteria often gets on only one tonsil. JUST GO TO A DOCTOR! but until you get a check-up, rinse your mouth and throat with the following mixture: mix about 1/2 cup water with baking soda. keep adding baking soda( about 1 tsp.) and mixing until when after you mix, there is still some baking soda in the bottom of the cup. THIS WILL NOT HARM YOU IN ANY WAY!!! although it doesn't taste very pleasant, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND RINSING YOUR THROAT WITH THE MIXTURE 3 TIMES A DAY! WARNING: don't eat OR drink for at least 1/2 hour after rinsing! one last note: going to the doctor is a MUST- if not treated in a long time, strep can get dangerous! hope i helped! : )