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The <keyword id="2219970" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="World-Book-Night">World Book Night</keyword> (now in its fourth year and coincides with the <keyword id="2219971" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="UNESCO-International-Day-of-the-Book">UNESCO International Day of the Book</keyword>) came and went, but did it impact our life in any way? In the UK, 20 titles were selected and thousands of those <keyword id="5050" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="books">books</keyword> were given away for free on the night of <keyword id="6460904" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="April-23">April 23</keyword> to inspire people who “haven’t yet been turned on” to reading. A quick look at the list had us pleasantly surprised. It included the works of <keyword id="210859" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Agatha-Christie">Agatha Christie</keyword>, <keyword id="17397" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jeffrey-archer">Jeffrey Archer</keyword>, <keyword id="324611" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="John-Grisham">John Grisham</keyword>, <keyword id="241349" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Roald-Dahl">Roald Dahl</keyword>, <keyword id="1367712" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Andy-McNab">Andy McNab</keyword> and others – mostly popular stuff that may actually drive reluctant readers back to the age-old habit of reading. 
 And that brings another startling fact to the forefront. If reading less is a global malady, men could be suffering more from it than their female counterparts. No, we are not getting gender-biased here. The findings came from a survey commissioned by the <keyword id="2219978" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Reading-Agency">Reading Agency</keyword> and conducted by <keyword id="2219982" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="OnePoll">OnePoll</keyword>. According to the report, researchers from OnePoll spoke to 2,000 British men and <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> ahead of the World Book Night and it was found that 75% of the men would watch the big screen version of a story, instead of reading the original book. In fact, 30% of the men said they had not read a book after their school days. 
 But in spite of all the statistics, reading does change one’s life. They say everyone can write at least one classic – their own life story. Surprisingly enough, we have one such book in our April list – the <keyword id="2219985" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Posthumous-collection">posthumous collection</keyword> of <keyword id="642178" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Essays">essays</keyword> and <keyword id="851600" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="short-stories">short stories</keyword> by a young <keyword id="2219988" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yale-graduate">Yale graduate</keyword> that has gone viral and read by at least 1.4 million people across 98 countries. That gives us great hope that books (in any format) will never become obsolete. Browse through our list of seven wonder works – analytical, inspirational, <keyword id="820033" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="sublime">sublime</keyword>, but essentially a <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> towards a changing world order, a look into the changing times. 
 
Image: Thinkstock/Getty Images

April Read: Try These
7 Books To Usher In A Summer Of Change

<ul class="summary-list"><li>White spots typically show up on tonsils as the result of a bacterial, viral, or yeast infection.</li><li>Usually, the best method of treatment is antibiotics to fight the infection. </li></ul>Imagine waking up with a sore throat. Maybe it hurts to swallow, or maybe your throat feels a little "off." You go to the mirror and open wide. There, way in the back of your throat, you see white spots on your tonsils. They may be small and pimple-like, or they could be lumpy patches or streaks.These tonsil spots typically don't hurt, but they can definitely look concerning. They're part of your body's immune response. They often appear during an infection or as a reaction to a foreign object lodged in your tonsils. "White spots on tonsils are most likely to disappear on their own after a few days," says <a href="https://www.farrinstitute.org/author/kire-stojkovski-m-d/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kire Stojkovski</a>, MD, a doctor and medical consultant at <a href="https://www.farrinstitute.org/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farr Institute</a>. "Treating the underlying or primary medical condition will help get rid of the white spot more quickly."Learn more about the various reasons why these white spots appear and how to deal with them.<h2>Tonsillitis</h2>Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become inflamed due to an infection. White spots are a common symptom of tonsillitis along with:<ul><li>Sore throat</li><li>Difficulty swallowing</li><li>Bad breath</li><li>Fever (over 100.4 °F)</li></ul>Medical term: Your tonsils are dimpled lumps in the back of your throat. The most well-known and visible pair lay on the left and right sides of your mouth, called the <a href="https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/lymphatic/components/tonsils.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">palatine tonsils</a>. But you also have two pairs of tonsils on the top and bottom of your mouth.When you see spots on your tonsils, often you are witnessing the aftermath of a microscopic battle between your immune system's white blood cells and the infectious germs they're fighting. The dead white blood cells and germs collect together in a liquid called pus. The pus may swell under the lining of your mouth like a zit, or it could become a creamy patch that sits on the surface. This is called chronic caseous tonsillitis (CCT). These white spots generally are harmless.Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to get rid of tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection. But if tonsillitis is from a viral infection, you may need to wait for it to pass on its own. In the meantime, you can soothe your sore throat by gargling salt water or <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/drinks-for-sore-throat">drinking warm liquids</a>. <h3>Peritonsillar abscess</h3>However, there are rare cases when the white spots can pose a danger. If the infection gets too severe, or your body is fighting off multiple pathogens at once, those spots can grow into a large lump. This is called a peritonsillar abscess (PTA). In addition to causing severe tonsillitis symptoms, a <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p501.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peritonsillar abscess</a> can:<ul><li>Swell and block your airway, making it difficult to breathe</li><li>Spread the infection to your neck tissue and cause nerve damage</li><li>Rupture and cause you to breathe in pus, allowing the infection to travel to your lungs</li></ul>Fortunately, PTAs are rare, only affecting .03% of Americans a year. How to treat it: They are also very treatable. You can get the abscess drained at an outpatient center or by an ENT. After your doctor extracts the pus, they will likely prescribe you corticosteroids or <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/treatments/how-long-does-it-take-for-antibiotics-to-work">antibiotics</a> to speed up the healing process.<h2>Bacterial Infection</h2>Bacteria cause <a href="https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15% to 30%</a> of acute tonsillitis cases. The most common culprit is a type of bacteria called group A strep, the same bacteria that cause strep throat.<h3>Strep Throat</h3>Group A strep bacteria thrive in the nose and throat. If the bacteria get in your tonsils, you may develop milky white spots. You might also see a grayish patch coating your tonsils called a <a href="https://amjmed.org/acute-exudative-tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pseudomembrane</a>.Note: Strep throat is a very common disease, affecting <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/surveillance.html#:~:text=CDC%20estimates%20approximately%2011%2C000%20to,invasive%20group%20A%20strep%20disease." target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions of people</a> per year. It is most common in kids ages 5 through 15. If you are a parent, teacher, or other adult who spends lots of time with kids in this age range, you also have a higher risk of catching it.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of strep throat</a> include:<ul><li>Tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth</li><li>Pain while swallowing</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes</li><li>Fever </li></ul>How to treat it: A doctor will prescribe you antibiotics and your tonsil spots and other symptoms should disappear in <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two to three days</a> after starting the medication. It is important to take all the antibiotics you are given. If you stop too early, the white spots may return.<h2>Viral Infection</h2>Viruses cause <a href="https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 70%</a> of acute tonsillitis cases. Here are several viral diseases that can cause spots on your tonsils.<h3>Infectious Mononucleosis</h3>Infectious mononucleosis, called "mono" for short, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Mono is most common among adolescents and young adults. EBV spreads through saliva, hence why mono is sometimes called the "<a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/how-do-you-get-mono" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kissing disease</a>."Mono can look a lot like strep throat at first. Often doctors need to do an antibody test to tell which one is which. Telltale signs of mono are:<ul><ul><li>Extreme tiredness — <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0315/p372.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fatigue</a> is much more pronounced in mono than strep and will usually last a month or more</li><li>Headache that will probably last for up to two weeks</li><li>Red spots on the roof of your mouth</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes that can stay swollen for over a month</li><li>Sore throat that lasts <a href="https://uhs.umich.edu/mono" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6-10 days</a>, much longer than for strep</li></ul></ul><ul><li>Fever that will usually last for a couple of weeks</li></ul>Tonsils infected with mono will look slightly different than those fighting off bacteria. With mono:<ul><li>Your tonsils may be much redder and more swollen.</li><li>The pus may appear in extensive gray patches rather than spots.</li><li>The white patches can <a href="https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-019-0954-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spread to the tongue</a>.</li><li>Any white spots on the tonsils or tongue will probably last 6-10 days</li></ul>How to treat it: Mono is caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't work on it. You just have to wait it out. Typically, it will take four to six weeks to fully recover.During recovery, it is important to listen to your body and rest when you are tired. Your doctor may recommend you avoid vigorous exercise for a month. Mono can cause your spleen to swell, and there is a <a href="https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-019-0954-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">risk of it rupturing</a> if you strain your body too much. <h3>Oral Herpes</h3>If you've ever had a cold sore, you can probably blame herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Don't worry, you aren't alone: Over <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2/oral-herpes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of US adults</a> have had oral herpes.Most people get oral herpes through non-sexual contact. You might have come into contact with infected saliva by sharing silverware or dipping your pretzels in communal dip. Since the virus is so common, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db304.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">older you are</a>, the more likely you are to have been exposed.Oral herpes <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382481/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rarely causes tonsillitis</a>. But if HSV-1 does reach your tonsils, you might see white or red spots in the form of cold sores. If those sores leak fluid they can cause shallow cavities called <a href="https://amjmed.org/acute-exudative-tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ulcers</a>. Once you've contracted HSV-1, the virus stays with you, usually lying dormant in your body. Some lucky people never develop symptoms. Others will have recurring outbreaks from time to time that <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/h/herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-mouth-infection.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may look like</a>:<ul><li>Itching and burning around your mouth</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes</li><li>Blisters (cold sores) on your lips, tongue, and gums </li></ul>You're more likely to show symptoms during the first few outbreaks, when your body's immune system is still getting used to the virus. How to treat it: <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/is-herpes-curable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oral antiviral medications</a> can help reduce herpes-related tonsil spots. Cold sores outside the body may respond well to topical ointments. You can take anti-inflammatory agents and pain relievers for other symptoms. <h2>Yeast Infections</h2>Your body is naturally host to a community of bacteria and yeast called your <a href="https://www.insider.com/weak-gut-microbiome-may-be-linked-more-severe-covid-19-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microbiome</a>. Normally these organisms live in harmony with your body and support your everyday functioning. But when something disrupts the microbiome in your mouth, white patches can appear.<h3>Oral thrush</h3>The most common yeast infection in the mouth is caused by Candida albicans. If this yeast grows too much in your mouth and throat, you can develop oral thrush (also called candidiasis). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Signs of oral thrush</a> include:<ul><li>Lack of taste</li><li>Pain while eating or swallowing</li><li>A "cottony feeling" in your mouth</li><li>Cracks at the corners of your mouth</li><li>White or light yellow patches around your mouth and throat</li></ul>In oral thrush, you'll probably see patches and streaks rather than defined spots. The patches often look creamy like cottage cheese. The patches are most likely to be on the tongue or the lining of your cheeks and lips, but they can show up on your tonsils, too.You are more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4681845/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at risk for oral thrush</a> if you:<ul><li>Have a weakened immune system due to age or a health condition like uncontrolled diabetes</li><li>Have been taking antibiotics for a long time</li><li>Have been undergoing chemotherapy</li><li>Have not been eating enough iron</li><li>Have dentures that don't fit your mouth</li></ul>How to treat it: You can treat oral thrush with antifungal medication. This might take the form of a pill, lozenge, or liquid. This treatment regimen usually takes one to two weeks.<h2>Non-Infectious causes</h2>Not all tonsil spots are caused by infection. Sometimes they are caused by foreign objects.<h3>Tonsil Stones</h3>Sometimes food and debris can get caught in your tonsil's crevices. If the object stays there for too long, it will harden into a mineral deposit we call a <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-tonsil-stones-removal-videos-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tonsil stone</a>. Tonsil stones are very common, affecting <a href="https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/heal/tonsil-stones-symptoms-causes-and-removal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 10%</a> of people in their lifetime. They become more common as people get older, peaking between <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/940960/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ages 50 to 69</a>. Usually, these tonsil stones are too small to see and cause no symptoms. Most people don't realize they have tonsil stones until they get a routine X-ray or CT scan at their dental office. When tonsil stones are visible, they often look like white or yellow pebbles. They may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32366151/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attract bacteria</a>, which may cause your breath to smell. Pus can also collect in the gap and harden, making the stone larger.Unlike tonsillitis, tonsil stones generally <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/troublesome-tonsil-stones-causing-bad-breath/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don't cause fever</a>. They won't make your tonsils red and swollen either. Often they cause no pain at all.How to treat it: If you have a tonsil stone that's bothering you, gargling with salt water can help. You can swallow a tonsil stone without choking, but spitting one out is quicker than digesting it. You can also try dislodging a tonsil stone with a water pick or cotton swab. Don't use your fingers to pick it out, since you could scratch your tonsils and cause further infection.<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>White spots on your tonsils can look scary, but they generally aren't dangerous. They're simply a sign that your immune system is doing its job to keep you safe.

What those white spots on your tonsils mean and how to get rid of them

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A man living in a 100-square-foot NYC apartment has shared his tips for living in a tiny space.</li><li>Ron Ervin told Insider he pays $950 a month for the space in <keyword id="12229146" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="harlem" source="Orion">Harlem</keyword>.</li></ul>A man who says he pays $950 per month to rent a 100-square-foot apartment in <keyword id="11921345" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="new-york-city" source="Orion">New York City</keyword> has found a number of ways to make living in <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-stay-in-a-tiny-home-photos-2021-12">a small space</a> work.Comedian and actor <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ronervin">Ron Ervin</a>, 31, told Insider <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ronervin/video/7052815445182942511">he posted a now-viral TikTok video about his home</a> on January 13 after seeing <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-living-in-tiny-apartment-in-nyc-microstudio-photos-2022">TikToker Axel Webber's 95-square-foot room tour on the platform</a> and suspecting that his room might be just as small. At the time of writing, Ervin's video has over 2.1 million views.Ervin said he moved to New York over a year ago and found the Harlem apartment through Craigslist. Since occupying the room, he has learned tips and tricks that make compact living easier, he said. <h2>If you own a lot of things, consider having a clear-out before choosing a small space</h2>Ervin told Insider one of the main reasons he can live harmoniously in the <keyword id="12656981" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tiny-apartment" source="Orion">tiny apartment</keyword> is because he doesn't have many possessions and never has."If you're someone who has a bunch of stuff and plans on keeping it that way, this probably isn't the kind of place for you," he said.Ervin's room consists of a minifridge, a twin bed, a chest of drawers, a lamp, and a clothes rail, he said. He also has a cupboard that houses his food, cosmetics, and cleaning items. He said simplicity helps keep the space organized, which is a priority as clutter can make the room feel "10 times worse than it actually is."<div type="image" title="A storage cabinet on the wall of Ron Ervin's 100-square-foot home." height="3024" width="4032" msid="89143657" hostid="261"></div>As for the bathroom — which is outside of his apartment — Ervin said that it's intended to be shared with the residents of another unit in the building, but since that space is empty he gets it to himself.<h2>You don't need to rely on floor space to maximize storage</h2>The comedian previously told Insider he has a few features to maximize space, <a href="https://www.insider.com/inside-100-square-foot-apartment-new-york-city-photos-2022-1">such as using folding chairs and clothing drawers that can double as a desk.</a> In addition to this, he recommends a few other storage solutions for small spaces. "When it comes to storage, your best friend is going to be space under the bed and using it as vertically as possible," he said. As a general rule, he said if you can hang an object on the wall or ceiling "you should," adding that a Murphy bed or bunk beds would be better for <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiny-house-storage-hacks-im-copying-traditional-house-2021-11">space-saving</a> than his twin bed.<h2><div type="image" title="A view of Ron Ervin's Harlem apartment with a single bed and green backdrop." height="3024" width="4032" msid="89143658" hostid="261"></div></h2><h2>Adapt your <keyword id="11893304" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lifestyle" source="Orion">lifestyle</keyword> to make up for the things you don't have in your <keyword id="11898442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="home" source="Orion">home</keyword></h2>Ervin said that people can adapt their lifestyle to make up for the things they lack in a small home. His recommendation is simple: "Get outside as much as you can.""In New York, you're always out and about, so the city is kind of your living room," he said, noting that when he needs extra space, he makes use of the communal garden that's meant to be shared with other tenants in his building.Ervin has also gotten creative with cooking. In place of a stovetop, <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiny-house-owners-what-not-to-buy-for-home-2021-5">Ervin keeps a $10 hot plate and a George Foreman grill</a> that he found in the apartment building next to the sink and wall cabinet in his kitchen area."I make all my food at home and with a minimal cooking setup, he said. "I've adjusted my diet to make good healthy meals with what equipment and room I have." <div type="image" title="Ron Ervin does not have a stovetop in his tiny Harlem apartment." height="3024" width="4032" msid="89143659" hostid="261"></div>Finally, Ervin said that buying an air purifier can be a lifesaver "as there aren't many places for air to go" in a tiny home. He said he feels "lucky to have a window," but the purifier is a big help to him and recommends it to those who live in a space without any windows.

A man who lives in one of New York City's smallest apartments shares 3 tips for living in a tiny space

New Delhi, The Election Commission on Wednesday issued notice to BJP leader <keyword id="8729099" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="sambhit-patra">Sambhit Patra</keyword> for violating the Model Code of Conduct in place for the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections in view of his recent comments on a TV show which "have the potential of disturbing communal harmony and aggravating differences between social and religious communities". The poll panel, which added a transcript of his provocative comments, asked Patra to explain his position before it by 5 p.m. on Thursday. The panel said it had acted on a report filed by the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday, following a complaint filed against Patra for his comments by the <keyword id="6354944" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="aam-aadmi-party">Aam Aadmi Party</keyword> on Monday.

BJP's spokesperson Sambhit Patra gets an EC notice for his comments on a TV show

In his first reaction to incidents of <keyword id="6355987" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Violence">violence</keyword> in Delhi which have left at least 20 people dead, Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Wednesday appealed for <keyword id="979" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="peace">peace</keyword> and brotherhood, and said he has held an extensive review of the prevailing situation in various parts of the national capital. He also said it was important that calm and normalcy was restored at the earliest. "Had an extensive review on the situation prevailing in various parts of Delhi. Police and other agencies are working on the ground to ensure peace and normalcy," Modi tweeted. Stressing that peace and harmony are "central to our ethos", Modi said, "I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times." At least 20 people have been killed since Sunday in communal violence in <keyword id="101786" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="northeast-Delhi">Northeast Delhi</keyword>, triggered after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protestors over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Modi appeals for peace and brotherhood as Delhi violence peaks with 20 deaths

<ul><li>Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) also received a complaint against the <keyword id="10099376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tanishq-advertisement">Tanishq advertisement</keyword>, stating that it promoted communal intermingling. </li><li>The industry body has, however, dismissed the consumer complaint. </li></ul>Tanishq launched a campaign ‘Ekatvam’, which showed the baby shower of a Hindu woman married to a Muslim man. The ad, if anything, celebrated inclusivity by showcasing an inter-faith marriage. The ad however, did not go down well with a lot of people. The ad was trolled by people who said it normalized ‘Love jihad’. The brand, to the disappointment of a lot of people, succumbed to this social media trolling and removed it from all its social media handles. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) also received a complaint against the Tanishq advertisement, stating it to be objectionable since it promoted communal intermingling and the industry body has dismissed the complaints. The advertisement in question was viewed at ASCI by an independent multi stakeholder panel- The Consumer Complaints Council, which balances view points from industry, civil society, lawyers, consumer activists as well as domain experts. This panel was unanimous that nothing in the advertisement was indecent or vulgar or repulsive, which is likely in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety, to cause grave and widespread offence. The complaint was not upheld, as the advertisement did not violate the ASCI codes of honesty, truthfulness and decency in advertising. Therefore, ASCI has no objection to the airing of this advertisement, should the advertiser choose to do so. The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) appealed to the concerned Governments to take a serious view of such intimidating behaviour. It said that any attempt to stifle with the fundamental right to express and receive commercial expression as guaranteed in Section 19 (1) (A) of the Constitution of India, should be condemned in the strongest of terms. IAA spokesperson said, "The IAA has always stood for freedom of commercial speech and expression, self-regulation and gender-parity. Our many meaningful initiatives in these areas stand testimony to that commitment. The marcom industry has always used its creative depth to create messages that promote amity, peace and harmony in every area of life and work. . The events which led to the recent Tanishq advertisement being pulled back are very unfortunate. While we respect the opinion of every individual on subjective matters, these should not descend to illegal threats and anti-social behaviour. We appeal to the concerned Governments to take a serious view of such intimidating behaviour and take exemplary action where required to ensure that businesses are provided a safe environment to communicate their brand advertising messages and contribute to economic resurgence of the country. Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) also disapproved the targeting of the recent <keyword id="2851713" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tanishq-Ad">Tanishq ad</keyword> featuring an inter-faith couple. In a statement released to the press, The association said, " The threats against Tanishq as well as its employees, which led to the withdrawal of the advertisement, are a matter of great regret and concern. The advertisement in question, in fact, had been viewed at the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) by an independent panel- The Consumer Complaints Council, which is representative of multiple stakeholders from industry, civil society, lawyers and consumer activists. The panel found nothing in the advertisement that was indecent or objectionable or repulsive that could lead to grave and widespread offence. There is a consensus among all allied bodies and The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter and The Advertising Club also support this." Tanishq had also issued an apology and pulled down its ad after its employees received several threats. “The idea behind the Ekatvam campaign is to celebrate the coming together of people from different walks of life, local communities and families during these challenging times and celebrate the beauty of oneness. This film has stimulated divergent and severe reactions, contrary to its very objective,” said Tanishq Spokesperson.

Nothing in the Tanishq ad was indecent, vulgar or repulsive: ASCI

<ul><li>Taxpayers can benefit from the donations made to the charitable institutions via cheque and cash. </li><li>Under Section 80G of the <keyword id="6354751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax">Income Tax</keyword> Act, if the donation is paid via cash, the maximum deduction can go up to ₹2,000. </li><li>There is no bar on the deduction amount if the payment is done through cheque or digital payment methods. </li><li>While some donations qualify for 100% tax deduction, others may only account for 50% deduction from the donated amount. </li></ul>As the current financial year approaches its end, salaried employees and taxpayers are figuring out ways to save on the taxable income. Taxpayers can benefit from the donations made to the charitable institutions both via cheque and cash. Under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, if the donation is paid via cash, the maximum deduction can go up to ₹2,000. Earlier, the limit for cash donations was ₹10,000 — which was reduced to do away with fake donation receipts. However, there is no bar on the deduction amount if the payment is done through cheque or digital payment methods. But not every relief fund or charity can be<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/want-to-save-income-tax-here-are-all-the-charitable-institutions-where-you-can-donate-to-and-save-tax/articleshow/73295892.cms"> claimed for deduction</a> from gross total income. That includes donations to political parties and foreign institutions — which are not eligible for tax rebate. While some donations qualify for 100% tax deduction, others may only account for 50% deduction from the donated amount. The deductions can be claimed by anyone who has made the donation — organisations and individuals. The Income Tax Department maintains a list of institutions and the limit on deduction against each of them. National Defence Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, National Foundation for Communal Harmony and National Children’s Fund are a few charitable institutions set up by the government that qualify for 100% deduction. On the other hand, trust funds like Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Fund and Prime Minister's Drought Fund fall under the category of 50% tax deduction. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/shops-owners-will-have-to-pay-up-to-5000-per-day-for-not-going-digital-in-2020/articleshow/73042779.cms">Shops owners will have to pay up to ₹5,000 per day for not going digital in 2020</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/income-tax-raid-at-ritesh-agarwal-oyo-headquarters-in-gurugram/articleshow/73189283.cms">Exclusive: Income Tax search at Ritesh Agarwal-led OYO’s headquarters in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/i-insisted-on-doing-my-own-taxes-for-years-until-a-cpa-saved-me-4700/articleshow/71713459.cms">I insisted on doing my own taxes for years - until a CPA saved me $4,700</a>

To save tax, use cheque and not cash while donating to charity

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Adnan AbidiDespite the fact that India has moved up one place on the Global Peace Index since last year, violence is still costing its economy hefty sums.</div></div></div><ul><li>According to India's Union Minister of State for Home, 822 incidents of communal violence took place last year.</li><li>A report by the Institute for Economics and Peace shows violence cost India <a href="http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2018/06/Global-Peace-Index-2018-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">$1.2 trillion</a> in 2017.</li><li>This equates to roughly $600 per person in India. </li></ul> Getting 1.3 billion people to live in harmony, not only with each other, but with the rest of the world is no mean feat. India is no stranger to conflict - internal or external. Last summer, the country experienced a significant military standoff with its neighbour China for three months, over the latter's construction of a road in Doklam, an area that is a disputed territory of Bhutan. Domestically, the tenuous political situation in the state of Kashmir showed no signs of letting up last year, while protests, riots and communal violence in other parts of the country also continued. In fact, <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/india-witnessed-822-communal-incidents-in-2017-says-centre-111-killed-2384-injured-in-violence-4338217.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">around 822 incidents</a> of communal violence reportedly took place in India last year, according to Hansraj Ahir, the Union Minister of State for Home.<h2>Violence has come at a hefty price for India's economy</h2>This violence represents a significant cost to India's economic growth. According to international think tank, the Institute for Economics and Peace, violence cost the country <a href="http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2018/06/Global-Peace-Index-2018-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">nearly $1.2 trillion</a> (₹80.1 trillion) in constant exchange rates, or 9% of its GDP in 2017. This equates to roughly $600 per person in India.According to <a href="http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2017/04/The-Economic-Cost-of-Violence-Containment.pdf">a report</a> on the economic cost of violence containment, the yearly cost of violence containment is calculated by a variety of 13 different categories, including the cost of funding UN peacekeeping missions, the level of expenditure on the military and the cost of terrorism.India did, however, move up one place to 136 on the Global Peace Index, a ranking of 163 countries owing to lower military purchases and a slight improvement in violent crime statistics. At the bottom of the list was war-torn Syria, which lost a staggering of 68% of its GDP, or $42 billion, last year due to violence. Iceland took the top spot in the index, losing only $830 million due to violence. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continued to be the world's least peaceful geographic region, hosting 4 of the world's 10 most violent countries. South Asia proved to be the world's second least peaceful region, amid ongoing conflicts in Pakistan and Afghanistan - which lost 13% and 63% of their GDP, respectively, in 2017. The overall cost of violence in the world has risen 16% since 2012, when Syria's civil war started, reaching $14.76 trillion last year. This is equivalent to 12.4% of the world's GDP. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/economist-weighted-voting-could-help-save-us-democracy-2018-5">This top economist has a radical plan to change the way Americans vote</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Violence cost India's economy 9% of its GDP last year

Getting 1.3 billion people to live in harmony, not only with each other, but with the rest of the world is no mean feat. <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is no stranger to conflict - internal or external. Last summer, the country experienced a significant military standoff with its neighbour China for three months, over the latter’s construction of a road in Doklam, an area that is a disputed territory of Bhutan. Domestically, the tenuous political situation in the state of Kashmir showed no signs of letting up last year, while protests, riots and communal <keyword id="6355987" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Violence">violence</keyword> in other parts of the country also continued. In fact, <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/india-witnessed-822-communal-incidents-in-2017-says-centre-111-killed-2384-injured-in-violence-4338217.html">around 822 incidents</a> of communal violence reportedly took place in India last year, according to Hansraj Ahir, the Union Minister of State for Home. Huge economic cost This violence represents a significant cost to India’s <keyword id="47276" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-growth">economic growth</keyword>. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, an international think tank, violence cost the country <a href="http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2018/06/Global-Peace-Index-2018-2.pdf">nearly $1.2 trillion</a> (₹80.1 trillion) in constant exchange rates, or 9% of its GDP in 2017. This equates to roughly ₹40,000 for every person in India. The report measures the cost of violence not only in terms of the direct expenditure on military conflict and security, but also the costs of mitigating and dealing with the consequences of violence. It also takes into account the economic multiplier effect, or the incremental economic activity, that was lost as a result of the violence. India did, however, move up one place to 136 on the <keyword id="167042" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-peace-index">Global Peace Index</keyword>, a ranking of 163 countries owing to lower military purchases and a slight improvement in violent crime statistics. At the bottom of the list was war-torn <keyword id="6354913" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="syria">Syria</keyword>, which lost a staggering of 68% of its GDP, or $42 billion, last year due to violence. Iceland took the top spot in the index, losing only $830 million due to violence. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continued to be the world’s least peaceful geographic region, hosting 4 of the world’s 10 most violent countries. South Asia proved to be the world’s second least peaceful region, amid ongoing conflicts in Pakistan and Afghanistan - which lost 13% and 63% of their GDP, respectively, in 2017. The overall cost of violence in the world has risen 16% since 2012, when Syria’s civil war started, reaching $14.76 trillion last year. This is equivalent to 12.4% of the world’s GDP. Finally, the report showed how much it pays to be at peace. Since 1948, countries that rank high on the Global Peace Index have seen per capita GDP grow thrice as fast when compared to less peaceful ones.

India lost around 9% of its GDP last year due to violence: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> said it would defend "freedom of expression" as Indian authorities requested bans. </li><li>But activists and journalists were subject to temporary bans and limitations of their accounts.</li><li>One said Twitter "could stand up to the president of their country but were getting bullied here."</li></ul>Twitter is in a predicament in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. It is caught between the demands of an increasingly authoritarian government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a global outcry - spurred by tweets from <a href="https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1356625889602199552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1356625889602199552%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-asia-india-559148584858">singer Rihanna</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1356694884615340037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1356694884615340037%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Findia-news%2Fafter-rihanna-greta-thunberg-extends-support-to-farmers-protest-101612319959694.htmlhtml">climate activist Greta Thunberg</a> - to protect the tens of thousands of farmers who have gathered in Delhi to protest new agricultural laws.As it wrestles with what to do under intense scrutiny, journalists and activists have been among those caught up in the standoff.The Caravan, a prestigious magazine that <a href="https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/the-bjp-and-delhi-police-hand-in-the-delhi-violence">publishes confrontational, longform journalism</a> reflects its predicament. Just one week after Twitter censored the Caravan's accounts at the Indian Government's request, the magazine received <a href="https://thewire.in/media/caravan-magazine-wins-louis-m-lyons-award-for-its-indispensable-reporting-on-india">a prestigious award from Harvard University's Nieman Foundation, </a>that praised its "unique and uncompromising coverage of the erosion of human rights, social justice, and democracy."The standoff grew as worldwide interest intensified. <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/en_in/topics/company/2020/twitters-response-indian-government.html">Twitter issued a statement </a>on February 10 saying it had banned those who violated its rules but only "temporarily complied" with the Indian Government's specific requests for bans, later restoring those accounts.It added it restricted some accounts but only within India."In keeping with our principles of defending protected speech and freedom of expression, we have not taken any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians," Twitter said.Caravan's executive editor Vinod Jose told Insider that the block, which stopped people in India accessing its Hindi and English language accounts, felt "targeted" as the publication has aggressively criticized the government.But he said he was surprised that Twitter had briefly complied given it had <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html">permanently deleted</a> Donald Trump's account for inciting the Capitol Hill riots three weeks earlier.<div type="image" title="Vinod Jose" height="1887" width="2516" msid="81211244" hostid="261"></div>"My first thought was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/twitter-trump-banned-bolsonaro-modi-india-brazil-populists-2021-1">they could stand up to the president of their country</a> but were getting bullied here," he added.He added the ban helped generate publicity for the magazine, which has since launched <a href="https://twitter.com/thecaravanindia/status/1362669498185093120">a subscription drive</a> fronted by Man Booker Prize-winning novelist Arundhati Roy.As well as requesting Twitter bans, the Indian authorities have also moved against prominent voices because of their tweets.On January 30, Jose and six other journalists, including top news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, had complaints filed against them accusing them of criminal sedition for tweeting about the alleged fatal shooting of a protestor, whose death was later revealed to have been an accident. The charge can carry a sentence of<a href="https://devgan.in/ipc/section/124A/"> life imprisonment</a>. Their arrests <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sc-stays-arrest-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-and-others-sedition-case-143067">were subsequently stayed by</a> the top court on February 9. This was not an isolated incident. A freelance journalist <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/prashant-kanojia-arrested-tweets-uttar-pradesh-police-transit-remand">spent a month</a> in jail last year over a tweet that authorities said had disrupted communal harmony. On February 15, police charged a 22-year-old <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/climate-activist-disha-ravi-arrested-for-being-the-toolkit-editor-of-indias-farmers-protests/articleshow/80920349.cms">climate activist</a> with sedition for circulating a toolkit that Thunberg had tweeted.Inji Pennu, a Kerala-born tech blogger who lives in Florida and monitors <keyword id="6354632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-media">social media</keyword> trends in India, told Insider it would be a "privilege" for anyone to "post on a social media platform and escape without having a complaint slapped against you."Political commentator <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjukta">Sanjukta Basu</a> also had her Twitter targeted on February 1, when she woke up to see her account was invisible inside India. She told Insider she initially thought a tweet about <a href="https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/02/10/arrested-before-he-could-perform-how-munawar-faruqui-spent-a-month-in-jail">the arrest of a stand up comic</a> must have prompted it. But she deduced from media reports that her account was blocked because she had used the hashtag #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide, that spread the false claim Modi was planning mass murder.Basu told Insider her tweet didn't endorse the claim but was "examining Twitter's illogical trends and had listed some trending hashtags."She believed her vocal criticism of Modi's government had prompted the ban. After her account was restored, she tweeted about the surge in followers she had, saying: "More they bully you, more you grow."Asked how the episode left her feeling about Twitter, she said: "They stood up to the Indian government because of a regime change in the US. It doesn't want to be seen siding with an authoritarian government in a developing country."Raheel Khurseed, a journalist who was Twitter India's head of Politics, Policy and Government from 2014 to 2018, agreed Joe Biden replacing Donald Trump meant there was now a US President who was "ideologically more aligned with Twitter's position on free speech"."The fact that [the Biden administration] would want to hold the same standards elsewhere in the world gives Twitter some amount of immunity as it tries to apply the same standards elsewhere in the world," he told Insider. After Twitter's public statement of defiance, Ravi Shankar, the justice and technology minister, told India's parliament that laws would be tightened to make social media companies more compliant. "We will not tolerate the misuse of social media for fake news," he said."I politely remind the companies, whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or WhatsApp or anyone, they are free to work in India, do business, but they need to respect the Indian Constitution."Twitter reportedly met with Indian Government officials earlier this month and had taken down 97% of the accounts authorities had requested. The <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/better-communication-with-govt-twitter-to-restructure-india-team-7184892/">Indian Express reported</a> it told authorities it would restructure its India team so there were more senior managers in the country to handle compliance issues.Khurseed said it was an "interesting moment in Twitter's journey in India"."The government, of course, has its own ideas about how these platforms need to run and whether they implement that on a policy level," he said, adding it "remains to be seen" what will change.He said Twitter might make new appointments and restructure its team but added there were discussions since his time there working about "making policy teams immune to government interference".He added: "I think this is the right time to restart those conversations."Twitter declined to comment, referring Insider to its February 10 statement.

Twitter 'stood up' to Trump but was 'bullied' in India, says a journalist who was caught up in the platform's standoff with Modi

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13197939" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="white-spots" source="Orion">White spots</keyword> typically show up on <keyword id="13197940" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tonsils" source="Orion">tonsils</keyword> as the result of a bacterial, viral, or yeast infection.</li><li>Usually, the best method of treatment is antibiotics to fight the infection. </li><li>Generally, white spots on tonsils are not dangerous and will go away after you get treated.</li></ul>Imagine waking up with a sore throat. Maybe it hurts to swallow, or maybe your throat feels a little "off." You go to the mirror and open wide. There, way in the back of your throat, you see white spots on your tonsils. They may be small and pimple-like, or they could be lumpy patches or streaks.These tonsil spots typically don't hurt, but they can definitely look concerning. They're part of your body's immune response. They often appear during an infection or as a reaction to a foreign object lodged in your tonsils. "White spots on tonsils are most likely to disappear on their own after a few days," says <a href="https://www.farrinstitute.org/author/kire-stojkovski-m-d/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kire Stojkovski</a>, MD, a doctor and medical consultant at <a href="https://www.farrinstitute.org/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farr Institute</a>. "Treating the underlying or primary medical condition will help get rid of the white spot more quickly."Learn more about the various reasons why these white spots appear and how to deal with them.<h2>Tonsillitis</h2>Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become inflamed due to an infection. White spots are a common symptom of tonsillitis along with:<ul><li>Sore throat</li><li>Difficulty swallowing</li><li>Bad breath</li><li>Fever (over 100.4 °F)</li></ul>Medical term: Your tonsils are dimpled lumps in the back of your throat. The most well-known and visible pair lay on the left and right sides of your mouth, called the <a href="https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/lymphatic/components/tonsils.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">palatine tonsils</a>. But you also have two pairs of tonsils on the top and bottom of your mouth.When you see spots on your tonsils, often you are witnessing the aftermath of a microscopic battle between your immune system's white blood cells and the infectious germs they're fighting. The dead white blood cells and germs collect together in a liquid called pus. The pus may swell under the lining of your mouth like a zit, or it could become a creamy patch that sits on the surface. This is called chronic caseous tonsillitis (CCT). These white spots generally are harmless.<h3>Peritonsillar abscess</h3>However, there are rare cases when the white spots can pose a danger. If the infection gets too severe, or your body is fighting off multiple pathogens at once, those spots can grow into a large lump. This is called a peritonsillar abscess (PTA). In addition to causing severe tonsillitis symptoms, a <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p501.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peritonsillar abscess</a> can:<ul><li>Swell and block your airway, making it difficult to breathe</li><li>Spread the infection to your neck tissue and cause nerve damage</li><li>Rupture and cause you to breathe in pus, allowing the infection to travel to your lungs</li></ul>Fortunately, PTAs are rare, only affecting .03% of Americans a year. How to treat it: They are also very treatable. You can get the abscess drained at an outpatient center or by an ENT. After your doctor extracts the pus, they will likely prescribe you corticosteroids or <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-antibiotics-to-work">antibiotics</a> to speed up the healing process.<h2>Bacterial Infection</h2>Bacteria cause <a href="https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15% to 30%</a> of acute tonsillitis cases. The most common culprit is a type of bacteria called group A strep, the same bacteria that cause strep throat.<h3>Strep Throat</h3>Group A strep bacteria thrive in the nose and throat. If the bacteria get in your tonsils, you may develop milky white spots. You might also see a grayish patch coating your tonsils called a <a href="https://amjmed.org/acute-exudative-tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pseudomembrane</a>.Note: Strep throat is a very common disease, affecting <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/surveillance.html#:~:text=CDC%20estimates%20approximately%2011%2C000%20to,invasive%20group%20A%20strep%20disease." target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions of people</a> per year. It is most common in kids ages 5 through 15. If you are a parent, teacher, or other adult who spends lots of time with kids in this age range, you also have a higher risk of catching it.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of strep throat</a> include:<ul><li>Tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth</li><li>Pain while swallowing</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes</li><li>Fever </li></ul>How to treat it: A doctor will prescribe you antibiotics and your tonsil spots and other symptoms should disappear in <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two to three days</a> after starting the medication. It is important to take all the antibiotics you are given. If you stop too early, the white spots may return.<h2>Viral Infection</h2>Viruses cause <a href="https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 70%</a> of acute tonsillitis cases. Here are several viral diseases that can cause spots on your tonsils.<h3>Infectious Mononucleosis</h3>Infectious mononucleosis, called "mono" for short, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Mono is most common among adolescents and young adults. EBV spreads through saliva, hence why mono is sometimes called the "<a href="https://www.insider.com/how-do-you-get-mono" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kissing disease</a>."Mono can look a lot like strep throat at first. Often doctors need to do an antibody test to tell which one is which. Telltale signs of mono are:<ul><ul><li>Extreme tiredness — <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0315/p372.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fatigue</a> is much more pronounced in mono than strep and will usually last a month or more</li><li>Headache that will probably last for up to two weeks</li><li>Red spots on the roof of your mouth</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes that can stay swollen for over a month</li><li>Sore throat that lasts <a href="https://uhs.umich.edu/mono" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6-10 days</a>, much longer than for strep</li></ul></ul><ul><li>Fever that will usually last for a couple of weeks</li></ul>Tonsils infected with mono will look slightly different than those fighting off bacteria. With mono:<ul><li>Your tonsils may be much redder and more swollen.</li><li>The pus may appear in extensive gray patches rather than spots.</li><li>The white patches can <a href="https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-019-0954-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spread to the tongue</a>.</li><li>Any white spots on the tonsils or tongue will probably last 6-10 days</li></ul>How to treat it: Mono is caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't work on it. You just have to wait it out. Typically, it will take four to six weeks to fully recover.During recovery, it is important to listen to your body and rest when you are tired. Your doctor may recommend you avoid vigorous exercise for a month. Mono can cause your spleen to swell, and there is a <a href="https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-019-0954-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">risk of it rupturing</a> if you strain your body too much. <h3>Oral Herpes</h3>If you've ever had a cold sore, you can probably blame herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Don't worry, you aren't alone: Over <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2/oral-herpes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of US adults</a> have had oral herpes.Most people get oral herpes through non-sexual contact. You might have come into contact with infected saliva by sharing silverware or dipping your pretzels in communal dip. Since the virus is so common, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db304.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">older you are</a>, the more likely you are to have been exposed.Oral herpes <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382481/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rarely causes tonsillitis</a>. But if HSV-1 does reach your tonsils, you might see white or red spots in the form of cold sores. If those sores leak fluid they can cause shallow cavities called <a href="https://amjmed.org/acute-exudative-tonsillitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ulcers</a>. Once you've contracted HSV-1, the virus stays with you, usually lying dormant in your body. Some lucky people never develop symptoms. Others will have recurring outbreaks from time to time that <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/h/herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-mouth-infection.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may look like</a>:<ul><li>Itching and burning around your mouth</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes</li><li>Blisters (cold sores) on your lips, tongue, and gums </li></ul>You're more likely to show symptoms during the first few outbreaks, when your body's immune system is still getting used to the virus. How to treat it: <a href="https://www.insider.com/is-herpes-curable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oral antiviral medications</a> can help reduce herpes-related tonsil spots. Cold sores outside the body may respond well to topical ointments. You can take anti-inflammatory agents and pain relievers for other symptoms. <h2>Yeast Infections</h2>Your body is naturally host to a community of bacteria and yeast called your <a href="https://www.insider.com/weak-gut-microbiome-may-be-linked-more-severe-covid-19-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microbiome</a>. Normally these organisms live in harmony with your body and support your everyday functioning. But when something disrupts the microbiome in your mouth, white patches can appear.<h3>Oral thrush</h3>The most common yeast infection in the mouth is caused by Candida albicans. If this yeast grows too much in your mouth and throat, you can develop oral thrush (also called candidiasis). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Signs of oral thrush</a> include:<ul><li>Lack of taste</li><li>Pain while eating or swallowing</li><li>A "cottony feeling" in your mouth</li><li>Cracks at the corners of your mouth</li><li>White or light yellow patches around your mouth and throat</li></ul>In oral thrush, you'll probably see patches and streaks rather than defined spots. The patches often look creamy like cottage cheese. The patches are most likely to be on the tongue or the lining of your cheeks and lips, but they can show up on your tonsils, too.You are more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4681845/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at risk for oral thrush</a> if you:<ul><li>Have a weakened immune system due to age or a <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword> condition like uncontrolled diabetes</li><li>Have been taking antibiotics for a long time</li><li>Have been undergoing chemotherapy</li><li>Have not been eating enough iron</li><li>Have dentures that don't fit your mouth</li></ul>How to treat it: You can treat oral thrush with antifungal medication. This might take the form of a pill, lozenge, or liquid. This treatment regimen usually takes one to two weeks.<h2>Non-Infectious causes</h2>Not all tonsil spots are caused by infection. Sometimes they are caused by foreign objects.<h3>Tonsil Stones</h3>Sometimes food and debris can get caught in your tonsil's crevices. If the object stays there for too long, it will harden into a mineral deposit we call a <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-tonsil-stones-removal-videos-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tonsil stone</a>. Tonsil stones are very common, affecting <a href="https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/heal/tonsil-stones-symptoms-causes-and-removal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 10%</a> of people in their lifetime. They become more common as people get older, peaking between <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/940960/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ages 50 to 69</a>. Usually, these tonsil stones are too small to see and cause no symptoms. Most people don't realize they have tonsil stones until they get a routine X-ray or CT scan at their dental office. When tonsil stones are visible, they often look like white or yellow pebbles. They may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32366151/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attract bacteria</a>, which may cause your breath to smell. Pus can also collect in the gap and harden, making the stone larger.Unlike tonsillitis, tonsil stones generally <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/troublesome-tonsil-stones-causing-bad-breath/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don't cause fever</a>. They won't make your tonsils red and swollen either. Often they cause no pain at all.How to treat it: If you have a tonsil stone that's bothering you, gargling with salt water can help. You can swallow a tonsil stone without choking, but spitting one out is quicker than digesting it. You can also try dislodging a tonsil stone with a water pick or cotton swab. Don't use your fingers to pick it out, since you could scratch your tonsils and cause further infection.<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>White spots on your tonsils can look scary, but they generally aren't dangerous. They're simply a sign that your immune system is doing its job to keep you safe.

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