Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that affects millions of individuals each year.

Tonsils are situated at the back of the throat. They are collections of lymphoid tissue that form part of the immune system. Although uncomfortable and unpleasant, the condition is rarely a major health concern. The vast majority of people, whether given medication or not, will fully recover from tonsillitis within a matter of days. Most symptoms will resolve within 7 to 10 days. This MNT Knowledge Center article explains the causes, diagnosis, and symptoms of tonsillitis. Treatment, both at home and by a doctor, will also be covered.

Symptoms

Tonsillitis typically resolves within a couple of days.

The most common symptoms of tonsillitis include:

• a sore throat and pain when swallowing
• red and swollen tonsils with pus-filled spots
• high temperature
• headache
• difficulty swallowing
• pain in the ears and neck
• tiredness
• difficulty sleeping
• coughing
• chills
• swollen lymph glands

Less common symptoms can include:

• fatigue
• stomach pain and vomiting
• nausea
• furry tongue
• changes in the sound of the voice
• bad breath
• difficulty opening the mouth

In some cases, tonsilloliths, also known as tonsil stones or tonsillar calculi, may be present. A tonsillolith is a calcified build-up of material in the crevices of the tonsils. They are generally small, but in rare cases, tonsilloliths have measured 3 centimeters and above.

Tonsilloliths can be a nuisance and sometimes difficult to remove, but they are not generally harmful.

When to see a doctor

Although rare, tonsillitis can sometimes cause the throat to swell to such an extent that breathing becomes difficult. If this occurs, medical attention is necessary and urgent. Additionally, if a person experiences any of the following symptoms, they should visit their doctor:

• a fever of over 103° Fahrenheit
• stiff neck
• muscle weakness
• a sore throat that persists for longer than 2 days

Diagnosis

To diagnose tonsillitis, a doctor will start with a general examination and will be looking for a swollen tonsil region, often with white spots.

Doctors may also inspect the exterior of the throat for signs of enlarged lymph glands and a rash that sometimes occurs. The doctor may also take a swab of the infected area for closer inspection by a laboratory, to determine whether the cause of the infection is viral or bacterial. Doctors may also carry out a complete blood cell count. This test involves taking a tiny amount of blood to investigate levels of certain types of blood cell. This bloodwork can help supplement the information taken from the swab. In some cases, if the swab is inconclusive, a complete blood cell count can help the doctor determine the best treatment.

Treatment

If tonsillitis cannot be treated at home, a range of treatment options is available.

Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) painkilling medications, can be used to numb the effects of tonsillitis. Some pain relief medications are also available to buy online, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen. If the tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, a doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics will not be prescribed for a viral case of tonsillitis. Penicillin is the most commonly used antibiotic. People must take the full course of drugs, whether their symptoms are relieved or not. Failure to do so might allow the infection to spread, and has the potential to cause rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation in the long-term.

Surgery

Surgery used to be a relatively common approach to dealing with tonsillitis. Today, tonsillectomies are not used unless the condition is chronic and recurring. For instance, if a person experiences tonsillitis seven times within a single year or 3 episodes per year for 3 consecutive years, a doctor would probably consider surgery.

Although the tonsils are increasingly less active following puberty, they are still an active organ and, therefore, doctors will not remove them unless necessary. A tonsillectomy might also be called upon if the tonsils are causing secondary issues such as:

• sleep apnea, which involves problems breathing at night
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• an abscess that is difficult to treat
• tonsillar cellulitis, when the infection spreads to other areas and causes a buildup of pus behind the tonsils

If a tonsillectomy is required, there are a variety of methods that may be used. Lasers, radio waves, ultrasonic energy, cold temperatures, or a needle heated by electricity have all been successfully used to remove the tonsils.

Surgery has increasingly become the last port of call. The negative implications of surgery are thought to outweigh the positives associated with the removal of the tonsils.

In general, although distressing and uncomfortable at the time, for the vast majority of people, tonsillitis will pass without any serious long-term implications.

Home remedies

Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce the risk of contracting tonsillitis.

These are the simplest tactics to reduce symptoms of tonsillitis at home:

• Resting enables the body to focus its energy on fighting the infection rather than using it on daily activities.
• Drinking plenty of fluids will prevent the throat from drying out and becoming more uncomfortable. When the body is fighting an infection, it needs more hydration than normal. Warm, preferably caffeine-free drinks can also soothe.
• Gargling with saltwater might help with discomfort.
• Sucking throat lozenges may help, and these are readily available over the counter or online.
• Using air humidifiers or sitting in a steamy bathroom can alleviate the irritation caused by dry air. Various humidifiers can be purchased online.
• Avoiding irritants, such as tobacco and smoky locations.
• Taking medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help with pain and fever.

Causes

Because the tonsils are the first line of defense against invaders from the outside world, they are susceptible to infection themselves.

Tonsillitis is typically viral, but can sometimes be bacterial. Whether viral or bacterial, tonsillitis can be contagious and spread from person to person. However, if the condition is caused by a secondary illness, such as sinusitis or hay fever, it is unlikely to be infectious.

Viral causes

Tonsillitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection. The most common types of virus to infect the tonsils are:

• adenovirus, which is associated with the common cold and sore throat.
• rhinovirus, which is the most common cause of the common cold.
• influenza, which is often referred to as flu.
• respiratory syncytial virus, which often causes acute respiratory tract infections.
• coronavirus, which has two subtypes that infect humans, one of which causes SARS.

Less commonly, viral tonsillitis can be caused by:

• Epstein-Barr virus
• herpes simplex virus
• cytomegalovirus

Bacterial causes

The most common type of bacteria to infect the tonsils is Streptococcus pyogenes. But, less often, it can be caused other species, including:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• Chlamydia pneumonia
• Bordetella pertussis
• Fusobacterium
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Types

There are different types of tonsillitis that are defined by their symptoms and recovery period.

These include:

• Acute tonsillitis: Symptoms usually last around 3 to 4 days but can last up to 2 weeks.
• Recurrent tonsillitis: A person has many different cases of acute tonsillitis in a year.
• Chronic tonsillitis: Individuals will have an ongoing sore throat and foul-smelling breath.

Diagnosing the type of tonsillitis will help a doctor decide how to treat it.

Tonsillitis vs. strep throat

Tonsillitis and strep throat are often confused for one another, but there are differences.

Strep throat is caused by a specific type of bacteria called Streptococcus, and symptoms are often more severe. Streptococcus can also infect other parts of the throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by viruses, and strep throat is a purely bacterial infection. Complications In rare cases, tonsillitis can complicate, normally when caused by a bacterium. The infection may spread to other parts of the body and cause complications, such as:

• an infection of the middle ear
• quinsy, or a collection of pus between a tonsil and the throat wall
• obstructive sleep apnea, in which the throat walls relax while a person is asleep and affect breathing and the sleep cycle

Rarer complications include:

• scarlet fever
• rheumatic fever, which causes inflammation throughout the body and leads to jerky body movements and pain in the joints
• glomerulonephritis, in which the filtering mechanisms of the kidneys swell and trigger vomiting

Complications are usually rare, and tonsillitis clears up without issue for most people.