Tonsils are lumps of tissue on both sides of the back of the throat that help the immune system protect the body from infections. But sometimes infections are too much for the tonsils to handle, and these fighters of infection become infected themselves.
Infected tonsils get swollen and red, and have a yellow or white coating. A person with tonsillitis may have a sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, and trouble swallowing. Inflamed tonsils look red and swollen, and may be covered with a yellow or whitish coating or spots. Someone with tonsillitis may have:. Bacteria also can cause it, most commonly group A streptococcus strep throat. Rarely, tonsillitis can be caused by something other than an infection. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat and neck.
Your doctor may use a soft cotton swab to gently collect a sample from your tonsils and the back of your throat for testing. It's important for your doctor to know if bacteria are causing the infection. If you have strep throat, you'll need treatment with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. This will help you feel better and prevent other problems that can come from untreated strep throat. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, be sure to follow the directions carefully.
Finish taking all the medicine even if your symptoms go away and you feel better, or the infection could come back. If a strep test comes back negative, it's probably a virus causing the tonsillitis and antibiotics won't help.
Just like with a cold also caused by a virus , you'll have to take it easy for several days and let the virus run its course. People often confuse tonsillitis with strep throat. However, there are important differences. A specific type of bacteria called group A Streptococcus causes strep throat. Symptoms are often more severe. Streptococcus can also infect other parts of the throat. Bacterial tonsillitis can lead to complications. However, this is rare and usually occurs in young children.
Viral tonsillitis does not usually lead to complications. The infection may spread to other parts of the body and cause complications, including:. The tonsils and adenoids play a role in helping the body fight infection, but they can become enlarged and require treatment. Learn more. Tonsil cysts may cause no symptoms and are generally no cause for concern. But a doctor should rule out other, similar health issues. Learn more here. Tonsil stones are hard stones that form in the tonsils.
They do not always produce symptoms, but some people may experience bad breath, a sore throat…. Bacteria and viruses usually cause swollen tonsils. Learn more about treatments and home remedies that reduce pain and swelling when the tonsils…. While tonsillitis may be a very common condition in children, it can also affect adults. Learn what causes tonsillitis in adults and how to treat it…. All you need to know about tonsillitis.
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Tonsillitis is a common infection of the tonsils. Share on Pinterest A person with tonsillitis may experience a sore throat when swallowing.
Home remedies. Tonsillitis vs. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. If a person becomes dehydrated due to tonsillitis, they may need intravenous fluids. Pain medicines to relieve the sore throat can also help while the throat is healing. Surgery to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. The surgery can also relieve breathing problems or trouble swallowing that can result from tonsillitis.
A tonsillectomy may reduce the number of throat infections in children during the first year after surgery, according to a study. However, a study found that adults who had their tonsils removed as children had increased risks of respiratory and infectious diseases long term. Having a tonsillectomy may reduce your overall risk of developing strep throat. You can still get strep throat and other throat infections after your tonsils are removed, though.
You should be able to go home the same day as your surgery, but it will take 1 to 2 weeks to fully recover. Learn what to do before and after getting a tonsillectomy. If a bacterial infection caused your tonsillitis, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. Antibiotics may help your symptoms go away slightly faster. However, they increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and may have other side effects , like an upset stomach.
Antibiotics are more necessary for people at risk of complications from tonsillitis. Your doctor may want you to schedule a follow-up visit to ensure that the medication was effective.
Use throat sprays rather than lozenges for young children, and always check with your doctor before giving children medications.
Find out more ways to care for tonsillitis at home. Tonsillitis is most common in children because they come into close contact with others every day at school and play, exposing them to a variety of viruses and bacteria. However, adults can get tonsillitis too. Frequent exposure to people increases the risk of encountering someone with the infection. As a result, taking public transportation or doing other activities alongside many people may increase your chance of being exposed to tonsillitis.
Symptoms of tonsillitis and treatments are similar for both adults and kids. Learn what to do if you develop tonsillitis as an adult. A number of different bacteria or viruses can cause tonsillitis, including group A streptococcus bacteria. This same bacteria is the only cause of strep throat. Both conditions are contagious, so you should try to stay away from other people if you think you have either one. Your doctor can use the same tests to diagnose both conditions.
Treatments for bacterial tonsillitis and strep throat are also similar. Learn more about the differences between tonsillitis and strep throat. People who experience chronic tonsillitis may start to experience obstructive sleep apnea.
This happens when the airways swell and prevents a person from sleeping well, which can lead to other medical issues if left untreated. This is known as tonsillar cellulitis. The infection can also cause a person to develop a buildup of pus behind the tonsils, called a peritonsillar abscess. This can require drainage and surgery. These include rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. To decrease your risk of getting tonsillitis, stay away from people who have active infections.
Ensure you and your child practice good hygiene habits. Wash your hands often, especially after coming into contact with someone who has a sore throat, or is coughing or sneezing. Swollen tonsils may cause difficulty breathing, which can lead to disturbed sleep. Tonsillitis left untreated can result in the infection spreading to the area behind the tonsils or to the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection usually improve a few days after you begin taking antibiotics.
Learn about what foods are good to eat and what foods to avoid if you have a sore throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. We explain the common signs, diagnostic tests, treatment…. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and nose.
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