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Tonsilitis?
17/f
So last week, I started out with a cold type illness. However, I had an unusually bad sore throat, accompanied by fever and headache. I went to the doctor, who saw a sore on the back of my throat and he told me it was just a virus that would pass. The fever and headache did pass, but I still have the sore. Today, I looked back into my throat and I see a tonsil stone. I've never had one in my life. I gargled with salt water, but it didn't really do anything. The tonsil stone is seriously annoying me and although it doesn't hurt too much, I can still feel it in my throat. I don't have any bad breath, though, which seemed to be a huge issue when I search tonsil stones online. What do I do?! I've already been to the doctor twice and missed a lot of school. Will it pass if I just gargle everyday? Do I need to get my tonsils removed? Help!
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None of us are doctors so we really can't answer your question from a medical standpoint.
What I would do if I was you, being this concerned would be to see a specialist. The specialist doctor you need to see is an Eye, Ear, nose and throat doctor. At 17 you do not need parental permission to see any doctor. A federal law known as HIPPA grants anyone over the age of 14 this right.
As for your concern for missing more school. Doctors have various hours that they see patients. Many specialists have hours in the afternoon, evenings and on Saturday. When you call to make an appointment ask for one that may be available after school, in the early evening or on Saturday.
An ENT, as this specialist is referred to, is specifically trained in illness related to the eyes, ears, Nose and throat. Where as your Primary Care Physician(PCP) is just that that, a primary care doctor trained to know a bit about everything. If standard level of care does not cure and illness then you need to be referred to a specialist for the next level of care.
Your insurance company may require your PCP to refer you to any specialist. Call your PCPs office and ask for a referral to an ENT.
While your visiting the ENT, if you have not had a hearing check in the last few years this would be a good time to have that taken care. It is painless and actually a lot of fun.
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