Learn About Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.
Sore throat - tonsillitis
The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They help to filter out bacteria and other germs to prevent infection in the body.
A bacterial or viral infection can cause tonsillitis. Strep throat is a common cause.
The infection may also be seen in other parts of the throat. One such infection is called pharyngitis.
Tonsillitis is very common in children.
Common symptoms may be:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Sore throat, which lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe
- Tenderness of the jaw and throat
Other problems or symptoms that may occur are:
- Problems breathing, if the tonsils are very large
- Problems eating or drinking
Swollen tonsils that are not painful or do not cause other problems do not need to be treated. Your provider may not give you an antibiotic. You may be asked to come back for a checkup later to assess your progress.
If tests show you do have strep, your provider will give you an antibiotic. It is important to finish all of your antibiotic doses as directed, even if you feel better. If you do not take them all, the infection can return.
The following tips may help your throat feel better:
- Drink cold liquids or suck on fruit-flavored frozen bars.
- Drink fluids, and mostly warm (not hot), bland fluids.
- Gargle with warm salt water.
- Suck on lozenges (containing benzocaine or similar ingredients) to reduce pain (these should not be used in young children because of the choking risk).
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever. DO NOT give a child aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome in children.
Some people who have repeated infections may need surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy).
Proliance Surgeons
Adrienne Laury, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist who manages a wide range of adult and pediatric disorders of the ear, nose and throat. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and treats patients with environmental and food allergies. Dr. Laury has a particular interest and significant research experience in the medical and surgical management of sleep disorders, sinonasal diseases, as well as sinus/barometric pressure headaches.Dr. Laury originally grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She attended Villanova University where she graduated summa cum laude. She received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and then completed her residency training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Laury then served as an Otolaryngologist in the United States Air Force for four years. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Maj. Laury was an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and instructed numerous residents and medical students. She also served a tour in Afghanistan where she managed facial trauma injuries for deployed American troops.Dr. Laury has received numerous distinctions in teaching and brings that excellence in education to her patients. She is also a nationally recognized lecturer on allergy and sinus headache. Additionally, her extensive research endeavors have enabled her to utilize the most current techniques to care for her patients.Dr. Laury is married and has two young boys and a baby girl. Her husband, originally from Germany, works in software development for Amazon. Dr. Laury enjoys cooking, cycling, traveling, and her guilty pleasure - reality TV. Dr. Laury is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Sinusitis, Nasal Polyps, and Empyema.
Tejs Klug-Ehlers practices in Arhus, Denmark. Klug-Ehlers is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. Their top areas of expertise are Pharyngomaxillary Space Abscess, Tonsillitis, Streptococcal Group A Infection, Lemierre Syndrome, and Laryngectomy.
Jochen Windfuhr practices in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Mr. Windfuhr is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. His top areas of expertise are Tonsillitis, Perichondritis, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus Infections, Adenoidectomy, and Laryngectomy.
Tonsillitis symptoms due to strep will often get better within 2 or 3 days after you start the antibiotics.
Children with strep throat should be kept home from school or day care until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. This helps reduce the spread of illness.
Complications from strep throat may be severe. They may include:
- Abscess in the area around the tonsils
- Kidney disease caused by strep
- Rheumatic fever and other heart problems
Contact your provider if there is:
- Excess drooling in a young child
- Fever, particularly 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Pus in the back of the throat
- Red rash that feels rough, and increased redness in the skin folds
- Severe problems swallowing or breathing
- Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck
Summary: The study will assess families' perspectives and decision-making regarding the duration of oral antibiotic courses prescribed to children (4-17 years) who present with uncomplicated bacterial infections at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Emergency Department (ED). The study will involve (i) children discharged from ED on oral antibiotics and (ii) children transferred to Hospital-in-the-Home (H...
Summary: The goal of this treatment study is to determine if doing lateral pharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy is better for children than doing tonsillectomy alone. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do children experience less pain after surgery when lateral pharyngoplasty is performed with tonsillectomy compared to tonsillectomy alone? * Do children eat/drink better when lateral pharyngoplasty is...
Published Date: October 20, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Chi DH, Tobey A. Otolaryngology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 24.
Mitchell RB, Archer SM, Ishman SL, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tonsillectomy in children (update) - executive summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;160(2):187-205. PMID: 30921525 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30921525/.
Zur KB. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 431.