
Common Causes
Treatment
- At-home care. Whether tonsillitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, at-home care strategies can make your child more comfortable and promote better recovery.
- Antibiotics. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
- Surgery. ...
Related Conditions
can be classified into three types: acute tonsillitis: a sudden innence of symptoms that usually lasts 3 to 4 days. Sometimes symptoms can remain by up to 2 weeks.Recurrent tonsilitis: A patient receiving tonsies several times a year is diagnosed with recurrent tonsillitis.
What is best treatment for follicular tonsilitis?
The prognosis of acute tonsillitis in the absence of complications is excellent. Most cases are self-limiting infections in healthy patient populations who improve and have minimal sequela. Those with recurrent infections may require surgery; however, even these patients have good long term prognosis.
What are the stages of tonsilitis?
Why does my tonsillitis keep coming back? If you have an infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria or an immune system that doesn’t work correctly, you may develop chronic tonsillitis. You may also have an increased risk of developing chronic tonsillitis if you have been exposed to radiation.
What is the prognosis of tonsillitis?
Why does tonsillitis keep coming back?

What are the causes of follicular tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.
How is follicular tonsillitis treated?
Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus. If your child is allergic to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe an alternative antibiotic.
Is follicular tonsillitis painful?
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. Your tonsils will be red and swollen, and your throat may be very painful, making swallowing difficult.
What are the three types of tonsillitis?
There are three types:Acute tonsillitis. These symptoms usually last 3 or 4 days but can last up to 2 weeks.Recurrent tonsillitis. This is when you get tonsillitis several times in a year.Chronic tonsillitis. This is when you have a long-term tonsil infection.
Is follicular tonsillitis infectious?
Tonsillitis is not contagious, but most of the infections that cause it are, for example, colds and flu.
What can I eat with follicular tonsillitis?
Do you have tonsillitis? Here's your guide on what you should eat and what you must avoid.Warm liquids. Warm liquids such as hot water, tea, ginger tea, broths, etc. ... Healing spices & herbs. ... Warm oats. ... Popsicles. ... Hard-boiled or scrambled eggs. ... Chicken. ... Soft foods. ... Warm teas.More items...•
What should you avoid when you have tonsillitis?
Here is the list of top 10 food to avoid during tonsillitis:Alcohol. It would give you a burning sensation in the throat which further aggravates the tonsils. ... Tomatoes and sauces. Tomato is very rich in oxalic acid. ... Pickles. ... Tobacco. ... Citrus fruits and juices. ... Hard and crunchy food. ... Greasy food. ... Spicy food.More items...•
Can tonsillitis be passed on by kissing?
Yes, you can spread tonsillitis through kissing. Tonsillitis can develop due to a virus or bacteria. Viruses and bacteria can spread through droplets from kissing, coughing, and sneezing. If you have tonsillitis, you should avoid kissing to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria to another person.
How can you tell if tonsillitis is bacterial or viral?
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
What is serious tonsillitis called?
Quinsy, also known as a peritonsillar abscess, is a rare and potentially serious complication of tonsillitis.
Is tonsillitis an STD?
No, pus on the tonsils does not necessarily indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia and gonorrhea of the throat are actually most often asymptomatic. Pus on the tonsils is usually caused by commonly passed viruses.
What is considered severe tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is considered serious enough to see a healthcare provider when it persists longer than four days, or when you develop white spots on your tonsils. Seek emergency care if you or your child have trouble breathing, excessive drooling, or if the pain interferes with your ability to eat or drink.
What is the fastest way to cure tonsillitis?
The Most Successful Treatments Include:Drinking warm liquids. Soup, broth and tea help soothe irritation associated with swelling and infection. ... Eating cold foods. ... Avoiding hard foods. ... Gargling with warm salt water. ... Using a humidifier. ... Avoid straining the voice. ... Getting rest. ... Using over-the-counter pain relievers.More items...•
What happens if antibiotics don't work for tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis usually improves on its own after around a week. It's most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help. Even if it's a bacterial infection, it will often settle without antibiotics. You can ease your symptoms with self-help measures and over-the-counter medicines.
How do you know if tonsillitis is bacterial or viral?
Feel the neck for swollen lymph nodes If you can feel a tender lump in your neck, this could indicate a bacterial infection. Although any infection in the throat can lead to a swollen lymph node, the chances are high that this could be due to bacterial tonsillitis.
How do you treat tonsillitis without surgery?
7 Home Remedies That Can Help Cure Tonsillitis FastTake enough rest. Rest can make your child forget about the pain while healing the ailment more efficiently. ... Drink plenty of fluids. ... Avoid hard foods. ... Gargle with saltwater. ... Humidify the air. ... Take Medicated Lozenges. ... Avoid irritants. ... Take Warm Tea with Honey.More items...•
What is the inflammation of the tonsils?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one tonsil on each side. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck. Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by infection with a common virus, ...
What causes tonsillitis?
Causes. Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.
What is the immune system's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth?
The tonsils are the immune system's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth. This function may make the tonsils particularly vulnerable to infection and inflammation. However, the tonsil 's immune system function declines after puberty — a factor that may account for the rare cases of tonsillitis in adults.
Why is it important to get tonsillitis removed?
Because appropriate treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause, it's important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Surgery to remove tonsils, once a common procedure to treat tonsillitis, is usually performed only when tonsillitis occurs frequently, doesn't respond to other treatments or causes serious complications.
How to tell if you have tonsillitis?
Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include: Red, swollen tonsils. White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils . Sore throat. Difficult or painful swallowing. Fever. Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck. A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice. Bad breath.
What happens if you don't treat tonsillitis?
If tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus or another strain of streptococcal bacteria isn't treated or if antibiotic treatment is incomplete, your child has an increased risk of rare disorders such as: Rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin.
How long does it take for tonsillitis to go away?
Call your doctor if your child is experiencing: A sore throat with fever. A sore throat that doesn't go away within 24 to 48 hours. Painful or difficult swallowing.
What is the term for tonsillitis that doesn't respond to antibiotics?
Surgery to remove tonsils ( tonsillectomy) may be used to treat frequently recurring tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis that doesn't respond to antibiotic treatment. Frequent tonsillitis is generally defined as: At least seven episodes in the preceding year.
What antibiotics are prescribed for tonsillitis?
Antibiotics. If tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus. If your child is allergic to penicillin , your doctor will prescribe an alternative antibiotic.
How to check for strep throat in kids?
Your child's doctor will start with a physical exam that will include: Using a lighted instrument to look at your child's throat and likely his or her ears and nose, which also may be sites of infection. Checking for a rash known as scarlatina, which is associated with some cases of strep throat. Gently feeling (palpating) your child's neck ...
What is the name of the rash that is associated with strep throat?
Checking for a rash known as scarlatina, which is associated with some cases of strep throat. Gently feeling (palpating) your child's neck to check for swollen glands (lymph nodes) Checking for enlargement of the spleen (for consideration of mononucleosis, which also inflames the tonsils)
What to do if your child has tonsillitis?
If your child is experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or other symptoms that may indicate tonsillitis , you'll likely start with a visit to your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. You may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat disorders. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions about your child's ...
How long does it take for tonsillitis to heal?
Your doctor won't prescribe antibiotics. Your child will likely be better within seven to 10 days.
Can tonsillitis be removed?
A tonsillectomy may also be performed if tonsillitis results in difficult-to-manage complications, such as:
What causes tonsillitis?
A virus or bacteria causes tonsillitis. The two types of tonsillitis are: Viral tonsillitis: Most cases (up to 70 percent) of tonsillitis are caused by a virus such as cold or flu ( influenza ). Bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat): Other cases of tonsillitis are caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
What is tonsillitis in children?
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that causes a very sore throat. Most common in children, tonsillitis can affect all ages. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection.
How long does it take for tonsillitis to clear up?
Most cases of viral tonsillitis clear up in a few days with fluids and plenty of rest. Antibiotics usually eliminate bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat) in about 10 days. Tonsillitis usually doesn’t cause any serious or lasting health problems.
How to tell if tonsillitis is a virus?
Look in your ears and your nose for other signs of infection. Feel the sides of your neck to see if the lymph nodes are swollen and tender. After confirming a tonsillitis diagnosis, your doctor will need to determine whether the infection results from a virus or bacteria (strep throat).
Why do tonsils hurt when swallowing?
As part of your immune system, tonsils trap some of the germs that make you sick. When tonsils become infected, they get swollen and sore, and swallowing may hurt. Tonsillitis is also called tonsillopharyngitis, but most people call it a sore throat.
How long does it take to get antibiotics for strep throat?
Antibiotics require a prescription from your doctor. You usually take antibiotics orally (by mouth) for about 10 days. The most common antibiotics for strep throat are: Penicillin.
What happens if your tonsillitis lab results come back negative?
If the lab test results come back negative, you’ll know the tonsillitis is viral, not bacterial.

Overview
Increase in the size of tonsils due to bacterial or viral infection.
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
- Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the midteenage years. Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include: 1. Red, swollen tonsils 2. White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils 3. Sore throat 4. Difficult or painful swallowing 5. Fever 6. Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck 7. A scratchy, muff...
Prevention
- Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.