Treatment of tonsillitis depends on the cause. If caused by bacteria, tonsillitis is treated with antibiotics. If caused by a virus, tonsillitis may be treated by the immune system and home care methods such as gargling with salt water, taking warm tea and plenty of water to keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration and avoiding smoke. Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be used to treat frequently recurring or chronic tonsillitis that does not respond to antibiotic treatment.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation