What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils due to infection. The tonsils are two fleshy lumps, one on the left and one on the right, toward the back of your throat. Tonsils are an important part of your lymphatic system, which helps fight infections. Because of their location, the tonsils often catch bacteria or viruses that enter via the throat.
The terms tonsillitis and strep throat are sometimes used interchangeably, but it’s important to learn the difference between the two conditions. Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat that can cause tonsillitis, while tonsillitis is the inflammation and infection of the tonsils. You can get tonsillitis from a viral or bacterial infection.
Tonsillitis mostly affects children from ages two and up. Adults can get tonsillitis too, but it’s not as common. Since the bacteria or virus that causes tonsillitis may be contagious, it’s important to identify symptoms to see if medical attention is needed.
Signs of tonsillitis
Sore throat
A sore throat may be the first sign of tonsillitis you notice. A red, scratchy throat and pain or discomfort when swallowing are symptoms of tonsillitis.
Swollen tonsils
You may find that your tonsils are large, red, and swollen. When swallowing, you may feel like there are obstructions in your throat.
White or yellow patches on the tonsils
A buildup of either pus or mucus may create yellow or white patches on the tonsils. These patches might look either like streaks or more like a coating on the tonsils. In more serious cases of tonsillitis, you may find an abscess, which is a pocket of pus that signals an infection,directly on the tonsil.
Bad breath
The bacteria or virus culture in the throat may cause bad breath.
Fever
Someone with tonsillitis may develop a fever as a result of their body fighting the infection. If you develop a high fever from tonsillitis, you should see the doctor as soon as possible.
QUESTION
What causes tooth decay? See AnswerCauses of tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Both bacterial and viral cases are usually spread person-to-person through airborne droplets, coughs, or sneezes. Tonsillitis itself isn’t contagious, but the bacteria or virus that causes it is.
Viral infections
Viral infections are more common in very young children and cause the majority of tonsillitis cases. The virus causing tonsillitis may be a strain of the flu virus, parainfluenza virus, or many other different viruses.
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections cause 15% to 30% of tonsillitis cases. These cases usually begin as strep throat or another bacterial infection.
When to see the doctor for tonsillitis
Most cases of tonsillitis should be seen by a doctor. The most urgent symptoms are:
- Swollen tonsils with visible abscess
- High fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Extreme difficulty swallowing or breathing
- A throat swab taken by a clinician tests positive for strep throat
- Chronic tonsillitis, when tonsillitis occurs more than seven times per year
Diagnosis for tonsillitis
When you visit the doctor, they will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a throat and ear examination. They will swab the back of your throat to determine if your infection is viral or bacterial. They may perform a rapid strep test, which tests for bacteria that causes strep throat and shows almost immediate results.
Alternatively, they may want to test for throat culture. The results of this test usually take longer to determine, because they are typically sent to a lab.
Treatments for tonsillitis
Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. For bacterial infections, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Viral infections tend to pass more quickly on their own than bacterial cases. There is less the doctor can do in these cases, although they may want to continue monitoring your symptoms. They may prescribe medication or recommend over-the-counter medicine to make you more comfortable.
If you’re suffering from chronic tonsillitis, the doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy, or tonsil removal. This is a routine and fairly common procedure in most hospitals.
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Healthy Children: “The Difference between a Sore Throat, Strep & Tonsillitis.”
Healthy Children: “Tonsillitis.”
Healthlink BC: “Tonsillitis.”
Medline Plus: “Tonsillitis.”
Mount Sinai: “Tonsillitis.”
Plain Language Summary for Patients: “Tonsillectomy in Children.”
Top How Do You Know if You Have Tonsillitis Related Articles
Tonsillitis (Adenoiditis)
Tonsillitis is a contagious infection with symptoms of bad breath, snoring, congestion, headache, hoarseness, laryngitis, and coughing up blood. Tonsillitis can be caused by acute infection of the tonsils, and several types of bacteria or viruses (for example, strep throat or mononucleosis). There are two types of tonsillitis, acute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis lasts from 1-2 weeks while chronic tonsillitis can last from months to years. Treatment of tonsillitis and adenoids include antibiotics, over-the-counter medications, and home remedies to relieve pain and inflammation, for example, saltwater gargle, slippery elm throat lozenges, sipping warm beverages and eating frozen foods (ice cream, popsicles), serrapeptase, papain, and andrographism Some people with chronic tonsillitis may need surgery (tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy).
Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600, Amoclan)
Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin Amoclan, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600) is an antibiotic used to treat middle ear infections, sore throat, sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Side effects include abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, gas, headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are a common complaint, and are small ulcers on the inside of the mouth. Canker sores aren't contagious (as opposed to cold sores), and typically last for 10-14 days usually healing without scarring. A variety of things cause canker sores, for example, medications (aspirin, beta-blockers, NSAIDs, high blood pressure medication, and antibiotics); injury to the mouth from dental work, braces, or sports accidents; acidic foods; allergies; and diseases or conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and lupus. Canker sores can be cure with home remedies, and prescription and OTC topical and oral medication.cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin, Bantan)
Cefpodoxime proxetil is an antibiotic that is used to treat various bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, ear infections, throat infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bronchitis, and other infections. The antibiotic works by destroying the cell walls of bacteria. Side effects of cefpodoxime proxetil include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rash, diaper rash, fever, muscle pain, allergic reactions, vaginitis, vaginal infections, itching, headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. Cefpodoxime may cause a condition called pseudomembranous colitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection of the colon caused by a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile colitis).cephalexin
Cephalexin is a prescription antibiotic used for treating middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, bone infections, throat infections, bronchitis, and bone infections. Common side effects of cephalexin include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, and vaginitis. Dosage of cephalexin depends on the type of infection.
Home Remedies for Tonsillitis: Treatment and Relief
Tonsillitis usually runs its course. Home remedies may help ease your/your child’s symptoms including getting plenty of rest, gargling, drinking water, washing your hands and taking over-the-counter pain relieving medication.How Painful Is a Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomy is the removal of two oval-shaped tissue pads, named tonsils, from the back of the throat. Tonsillectomy is a popular treatment for airway obstruction and recurrent tonsillar infection in children. Tonsillectomy causes mild or moderate pain in most people.
Is It Bad to Have the Tonsils Removed?
Tonsils are the two protruding tissue masses at the back of your throat. Tonsillectomy means the removal of the tonsils from the back of your throat. The concerns about removing the tonsils include concerns about immunity and the possibility of antibiotic advancement.
Is Tonsillitis Contagious?
Tonsillitis is a common infection, especially in kids. Tonsillitis is caused by viruses and bacteria like the flu and herpes simplex virus, and Streptococcus bacteria. These viruses and bacterium are spread person to person. Symptoms of tonsillitis are a yellow or white coating on the tonsils, throat pain, pain when swallowing, and hoarseness.
Tonsil Stones Picture
Tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths) form when bacteria and mucus get trapped and calcify in your tonsils' nooks and crannies, leaving a hard piece of matter and a bad taste in your throat. See a picture of Tonsil Stones and learn more about the health topic.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Surgery
Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of both tonsils. A tonsillectomy may be performed in cases of recurrent tonsillitis, or treat sleep apnea and some speech disorders.
Toothache
A toothache is pain on or around a tooth. It may have a variety of causes, including a cavity, abscess, or even sinusitis. Toothache symptoms include pain, headache, earache, bad taste in the mouth, and gum swelling. Dental X-rays and other tests performed by a dentist are used to diagnose the cause of a toothache. Toothache treatment depends on the underlying cause. Taking proper care of the teeth and gums can help prevent toothache.
What Causes an Abscess in Your Throat (Peritonsillar Abscess)?
An abscess in your throat is a collection (or pocket) of pus in the space (peritonsillar space) that lies between each tonsil and wall of the throat. Medically, it is known as peritonsillar abscess or quinsy.
Why Do People Get Tonsil Stones?
What are tonsil stones and what causes them? Learn the signs of tonsil stones, what causes them, and what you can do to treat them.
Will Tonsillitis Go Away on Its Own?
Tonsils are the two oval-shaped pads of tissue in the back of your throat. They help protect your body from infection. However, sometimes they get infected and inflamed (red and swollen) and this is called tonsillitis. Tonsillitis symptoms usually go away after three to four days.