Tonsillitis

Have you ever wondered what's in the back of your throat? Besides your uvula (the piece of tissue that hangs down in the middle and looks like a tiny punching bag), you have 2 lumps of tissue on either side of your throat, called "tonsils", pronounced "tawn-sills". Their job is to fight germs such as bacteria and viruses. Tonsils can get infected and become red and swollen. This condition is called "tonsillitis", pronounced: tawn-sill-eye-tis. Read on to learn more about tonsillitis and what treatments are available.

What causes tonsillitis?

Tonsils are often infected by a group A strep infection. This bacterium attacks the tissue in the throat and the tonsils become infected. Viruses such as EBV or the mono virus also cause tonsillitis.

What are symptoms of tonsillitis?

The symptoms of tonsillitis can vary depending on the germ (type of bacteria or virus) that caused the infection, but most people complain of a sore throat. Symptoms can come on slowly or quickly and they can range from being mild to severe.

Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Swelling of the glands in your neck
• Red throat
• White or yellow patches or pus on the tonsils
• Fever
• Loss of appetite (you're not as hungry as you normally are)
• Nausea (feeling like you need to throw up)
• Vomiting (throwing up)
• Pains in your stomach

These symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions so it's ALWAYS important to talk to your health care provider if you are sick.

What will my health care provider (HCP) do?

1. Your health care provider (HCP) will take your temperature and ask you to tell him/her about your symptoms; how long you've had them and how bad they are.
2. Next, your HCP will ask you to open your mouth wide to look at your throat and also feel the lymph nodes (glands) in your neck. If your HCP thinks you might have tonsillitis, he/she will probably do a Rapid Strep Test. This involves having you open your mouth wide again-while your HCP holds down your tongue with a flat wooden stick called a tongue depressor with one hand, he/she will take a cotton swab with the other hand and gently (and quickly) wipe your tonsils and throat. It's natural to gag when this test is done but it's over before you know it.
3. Lastly, your HCP will place the cotton swab in a special tube. It takes about 15 minutes to get the results. If the results are positive, you will be told that you have strep throat and you will receive a prescription for an antibiotic. If the Rapid Strep Test is negative, the sample will be sent to the lab for further testing.

What is the treatment for tonsillitis?

Treatment for tonsillitis depends on whether the infection is caused by group A strep bacteria or a virus.

If the infection is caused by group A strep bacteria:

• It's very important that you take the antibiotic as ordered by your health care provider and finish all of your medicine even if you start to feel better.

If the infection is caused by a virus:

• You probably won't need to take an antibiotic. Your body will naturally fight off the viral infection. Your health care provider will likely suggest comfort measures to treat your sore throat.

If I have tonsillitis, is there anything I can do to feel better?

Yes. You can do the following to feel better:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Eat soft foods (soup, ice cream, milkshakes)
• Gargle with salt water
• Get enough sleep (teens need about 9 hrs. of sleep every night)
• Take medicine (that your health care providers orders) to treat strep throat and/or any discomfort you have

Can I prevent tonsillitis?

You can lower your chance of getting germs that cause tonsillitis.

Here's how:

• Wash your hands often
• Don't share cups, toothbrushes, water bottles, forks, spoons etc. with others; especially if they are sick
• Don't kiss anyone on the lips if they are sick with a cold or sore throat
• See your HCP if you are sick, have a sore throat and/or fever and get early treatment

Your HCP may suggest that you have your tonsils removed (tonsillectomy) if:

• You have many strep infections and miss a lot of school
• Your tonsils are so big that it may be hard to breathe
• You have a hard time eating and/or chewing foods or swallowing because your throat is sore
• You don't sleep well and may snore because your tonsils are swollen or you have sleep apnea (short periods where you don't breathe normally while you are sleeping)

What is a tonsillectomy?

A "tawn-sill-eck-toe-me" is the surgical removal of the tonsils. The operation is done under general anesthesia (you're asleep), in an operating room. The surgery takes about half an hour. You will need to stay in the post-op area for a few more hours until you are wide awake and can sip on fluids. Unless your doctor wants to observe you overnight, you'll probably go home the same day. You may have pain and discomfort after the surgery and it can take up to 1-2 weeks (or possibly longer) before you recover completely.

When should I call my health care provider (HCP)?

It's hard to tell if you have tonsillitis just by looking in the mirror. It's a good idea to call your HCP if you have symptoms such as a sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, trouble swallowing, etc.

The symptoms of tonsillitis are also common symptoms for other illnesses, so it's always best to speak to your health care provider and get evaluated if you or your parent(s)/guardian are concerned.

Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 4/21/2011

Related Guides:

Sore Throat

Sore throat is caused by viruses such as the cold virus, flu, mono, or bacteria such as "strep". Most of the time, a sore throat will feel better in a couple of days, but other times you'll need medicine to get better...

Mononucleosis

Have you ever heard of "the kissing disease"? Mononucleosis (pronounced mon-o-nuke-lee-o-sis, or "Mono" for short) got this nickname because people can pass it through their saliva when they kiss. People who have Mono may have different combinations of symptoms, including: fever, sore throat, extreme tiredness/weakness...