TonsillitisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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).
Ear, Nose And Throat Associates P.C.
Johnathan Winstead is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Winstead is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Low Nasal Bridge, Nasal Septal Hematoma, White Sponge Nevus, and Perichondritis. Dr. Winstead is board certified in American Board Of Otolaryngology.
Tejs Klug-Ehlers practices practicing medicine in Arhus, Denmark. Klug-Ehlers is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. They are also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Their clinical expertise encompasses Pharyngomaxillary Space Abscess, Tonsillitis, Lemierre Syndrome, Streptococcal Group A Infection, and Laryngectomy.
Plastic Head & Neck Surgery, Kliniken Maria Hilf Mönchengladbach
Jochen Windfuhr practices practicing medicine in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Mr. Windfuhr is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Tonsillitis. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses 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: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a collection of pus between the palatine tonsil and the constrictor muscle. PTA is detected by recognizing characteristics during clinical examination: redness, pain, malaise, trismus, and unilateral peritonsillar swelling. Clinical assessment, including inspection and palpation, is the traditional diagnostic method for patients suspected of having PTA. If PTA is sus...
Summary: This observational study aims to learn more about complicated infections treated by otorhinolaryngologists. The main questions to answer are: * What is the management of complicated sinonasal infections in Ljubljana, Slovenia, * What is the management of complicated ear and temporal bone infections in Ljubljana, Slovenia, * What is the management of complicated neck soft tissue infections in Ljubl...
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.