I have tonsillitis. What is the bump on back side of tongue?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 31-year-old female, nonsmoking and non-drinking. I am currently taking antibiotics for a streptococcal throat infection. Originally, Amoxicillin eight days ago but yesterday switched to Azithromycin as strep symptoms had come back (extremely sore throat, white tonsil patches, tonsil swelling). I swabbed positive for strep at the original appointment but yesterday negative on the rapid strep swab (lab cultures pending). Last night I noticed a bump on the back side of my tongue, the same side where the current tonsil swelling or infection is. I only noticed the bump when looking in the mirror at my throat. It is about pea sized and does not hurt other than mild discomfort when I press on it. Can you please advise what this could be and if I should be concerned?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

According to your history, we can consider this mass an inflammation. As it is red and slightly tender, and in the same side of your tonsillar inflammation, continue Azithromycin for three days. Add an anti-inflammatory as Ibuprofen 400 mg twice daily. Use a mouth gargle for the same three days too. The important question is when should you worry about it? If it continued to grow, transformed to an ulcer or changes its color, you should visit a surgeon or an otorhinolaryngologist to excise it and send it to be histologically examined.