Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, pads of tissue on each side of the back of your throat. They are part of your immune system and help keep germs from entering your mouth and nose. However, the tonsils can swell and become painful when exposed to bacteria and viruses invade your mouth.
Tonsillitis usually lasts for one or two weeks. It often gets better on its own, but sometimes tonsillitis treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from getting worse.
Viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. These viruses are often the same ones that cause the common cold or flu. They can spread from person to person through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Bacterial infections can also cause tonsillitis. Strep throat is a common cause of bacterial tonsillitis.
Tonsillitis symptoms can be mild or quite severe and often include:
Diagnosing tonsillitis usually involves a few steps, including:
Treatment for tonsillitis depends on whether it is a viral or bacterial infection. Strep throat and other cases of tonsillitis caused by bacteria can have more severe symptoms and lead to health complications, such as kidney inflammation, especially if left untreated.
Viral tonsillitis can be cared for with home treatment, which includes:
If the throat swab or rapid strep test confirms strep throat, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. This medication comes in a pill or liquid form that you swallow. Antibiotics work by attacking and reducing the bacteria in your body. It’s important that you take the full dose of prescribed antibiotics, even if your symptoms improve.
Some people get recurrent tonsillitis infections. Those who have five infections in two years or three infections in a single year for the past three years may require more invasive treatment.
Recurrent or chronic tonsillitis is often treated with tonsillectomy, or surgical removal of the tonsils. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if your tonsillitis symptoms cause breathing problems or don’t improve with antibiotics.
A tonsillectomy is a surgery that removes tonsils to reduce recurring sore throats, recurrent earaches and other symptoms caused by swollen tonsils.
While most cases of tonsillitis get better with home remedies or medication, a doctor should always diagnose and confirm the type of infection. Not treating bacterial tonsilitis with the right medication can lead to other complications, such as kidney infections.
If you or a family member has symptoms of tonsillitis, learn more about ENT services at CHRISTUS Health, or find a provider near you.
