What Is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Tonsils are lumps of tissue on

both sides of the back of the throat that help the immune
system protect the body from infections. Inflamed tonsils get red and
swollen and can cause a sore throat.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of

Tonsillitis?
Inflamed tonsils look red and swollen, and may be covered with a
yellow or whitish coating or spots. A child with tonsillitis may have:

 a sore throat
 fever
 bad breath
 swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
 trouble swallowing
 stomachache
 headache
What Causes Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus such as:
 adenovirus
 the flu
 Epstein-Barr virus (mono)
Bacteria also can cause it, most commonly group
A streptococcus (strep throat). Rarely, tonsillitis can be caused by
something other than an infection.

Who Gets Tonsillitis?

Anyone at any age can get tonsillitis. Strep throat is most common in
kids and teens ages 5 to 15.

How Is Tonsillitis Diagnosed?

Pediatrician will ask about symptoms and do an exam. They'll check
the inside of the mouth, the back of the throat, and the neck.
A pediatrician may use a soft cotton swab to gently collect a sample
from the tonsils and back of the throat. This can be:
 tested quickly with a rapid strep test that gives an answer within
minutes
 sent to a lab for a throat culture, which takes a few days
If the rapid strep test doesn't show signs of strep, the health care
provider will depend on the culture for a final diagnosis.
It's important to call your health care provider if your child has
tonsillitis symptoms.
How Is Tonsillitis Treated?
Treatment depends on whether the tonsillitis is caused by:
 a virus, in which case the body will fight the infection on its
own
 bacteria, in which case the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic.
Help your child take the antibiotic exactly as directed. This
helps symptoms clear up quickly and prevents spreading the
infection to others.
It's important to finish the entire prescription — even if your
child feels better in a few days — or the infection could come
back.
 Rarely, a doctor provider might recommend
a tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils) if a child's
tonsils get infected a lot or are so big they make it hard to
breathe at night. Tonsillectomy used to be very commonly done.
Now, experts use guidelines to decide if tonsil removal is the
best treatment. In general, tonsillectomy may be considered if a
child has seven sore throat episodes in 1 year, five episodes 2
years in a row, or three episodes 3 years in a row.
Can Tonsillitis Be Prevented?
 Try to keep kids away from anyone who already has tonsillitis
or a sore throat, and make sure everyone in your family washes
their hands well and often.
 If someone in the family has tonsillitis, keep their drinking
glasses and eating utensils separate, and wash them in hot,
soapy water.
 They should not share food, drinks, napkins, or towels with
other family members. Give them a new toothbrush after they're
treated and no longer contagious.
 If the sore throat gets worse, especially on one side, call your
doctor. This could be a sign of a peritonsillar abscess. This
happens when bacteria spread from the tonsil to the space
around it and fill it with pus.