What is Tonsillitis?

What is Tonsillitis

What Is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that causes them to become swollen and painful.1 The tonsils are the fleshy pads – actually lymph nodes – on either side of the back of the throat.

The tonsils are the immune system’s first line of defence and normally act as a filter for any viruses or bacteria that enter the body through the nose or mouth.1 Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflammed.1

Symptoms of tonsillitis

Tonsillitis can occur at any age, but it’s most common in school-age children.2 Tell tale signs can include:1,3

  • A sore throat
  • Swollen, red tonsils
  • White patches on tonsils
  • Difficulty swallowing; painful swallowing
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Laryngitis (an inflammation of the throat box, or larynx, that causes your voice to become raspy or hoarse)

Treatment options for tonsillitis

At one time, doctors routinely removed tonsils due to repeated tonsillitis (called a tonsillectomy), but now this is much less common. Today, surgery is typically only used if other treatment methods do not work.2

Tonsillitis is usually brought on by a virus. Home care includes rest, gargling with warm salt water, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and drinking plenty of fluids.1 Tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics.1

If the infection is severe, untreated tonsillitis can cause the tonsils to swell so much that they can block breathing.1,4 Pus from infected tonsils can also build up in the surrounding soft tissues, causing a sore that may need to be treated to prevent it from spreading into the bloodstream.4 Some strains of streptococcal bacteria may additionally cause serious complications such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.1,4

As a rule, if a sore throat gets worse, lasts longer than 2 days, or makes breathing or swallowing difficult, contact your doctor.1 Other warning signs to look out for are a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius, a stiff neck, or abdominal pain and vomiting.

References

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. NIH. Medline Plus: Tonsillitis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001043.htm
  2. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Fact sheet: Tonsillitis. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsillitis.cfm
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthy Children: Tonsillitis. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/pages/Tonsillitis.aspx.
  4. NHS Choices. Complications of Tonsillitis. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tonsillitis/Pages/Complications.aspx