What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis means that your tonsils are inflamed. Your tonsils are large, fleshy glands at the back of your throat. These glands make antibodies that help fight infection.

What causes tonsillitis?

Both bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis. Here are some of them:

• Streptococcus, or strep, bacteria. These germs are the most common cause.

• Adenoviruses

• Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis

• Herpes simplex virus

• Cytomegalovirus

• Measles virus

These germs are usually easily passed from one person to another (contagious).

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Each person may have slightly different symptoms. These are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis:

• Swollen, red tonsils. They may look yellow, gray, or white.

• Blisters or painful sores on the throat

• Sore throat that happens suddenly

• Pain when swallowing or difficult to swallow

• Snoring

• Foul breath

• Headache

• Loss of appetite

• Tiredness

• Chills

• Fever

• Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck or jaw area

You may not have any symptoms but still have the strep bacteria. You can pass these bacteria on to another person.

A complication of tonsillitis is an area around the tonsils filled with bacteria. This is called a peritonsillar abscess. You may have these symptoms:

• Severe throat pain

• Muffled voice

• Drooling

• Difficulty opening mouth

The symptoms of tonsillitis may look like other conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and do a physical exam. Your provider may do a strep test if he or she thinks the infection is caused by strep bacteria. Or your provider may do this test to rule out strep as the cause. To do this test, your provider will take a swab of your tonsils.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:

• How old you are

• Your overall health and past health

• How sick you are

• How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies

• How long the condition is expected to last

• Your opinion or preference

Tonsillitis caused by a virus is treated differently from tonsillitis caused by bacteria. Your healthcare provider may give you antibiotic medicine for tonsillitis caused by bacteria. He or she may give you antiviral medicine to treat tonsillitis caused by a virus.

If your tonsillitis comes back again and again, your provider may recommend surgery. The surgery will remove your tonsils.

You may need treatment right away if you develop a peritonsillar abscess. This is because the abscess may block your airway.

Can tonsillitis be prevented?

No vaccine or medicine can prevent tonsillitis. The following tips can help keep you from spreading an illness that can cause tonsillitis:

• Keep your distance from anyone with tonsillitis or a sore throat.

• Do not share utensils, drinking glasses, toothbrushes, or other personal objects with anyone who has tonsillitis or a sore throat.

• Wash your hands often.

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Key points about tonsillitis

• Tonsillitis means that your tonsils are inflamed.

• Both bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis. These are usually easily passed from one person to another.

• Tonsillitis caused by a virus is treated differently from tonsillitis caused by bacteria.

• You can help prevent tonsillitis by washing your hands often. You should also stay away from anyone with a sore throat or tonsillitis.

• You will need treatment right away if you develop a peritonsillar abscess. This can block your airway.