Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis
Overview
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Tonsillitis is an infection that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the tonsils.
Tonsillitis is a common condition in children, teenagers and young adults.
The tonsils are 2 small glands that sit on either side of the throat. In young children, they help to fight germs and act as a barrier against infection.
When the tonsils become infected, they stop it spreading further into the body.
As a child’s immune system gets stronger, the tonsils become less important and usually get smaller. In most people, the body is able to fight infection without the tonsils.
Sore throat self-help guide
Advice for people aged 3 years or more with the symptoms of a sore throat.
Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Speak to your GP practice if:
- your sore throat has lasted more than 4 days and shows no sign of easing
- the pain is so bad you can't manage to eat or drink, or you're finding it hard to breathe
- you keep getting throat infections, one after another
If your GP practice is closed, call 111.
Causes
What causes tonsillitis?
Most cases happen because of a viral infection, like a cold or the flu. Some cases are caused by a bacterial infection instead, usually a type called group A streptococcus.
Tonsillitis itself doesn't spread from person to person, but the infections behind it do.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing tonsillitis
If needed, your GP will examine your throat and ask you some questions about your symptoms. They may take a swab of your throat to check if its caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It’ll usually take a few days to get your results.
If you develop severe tonsillitis as a teenager or adult, your GP may recommend a blood test for glandular fever.
Treatment
There's no specific medicine that cures tonsillitis. In most cases it settles on its own within about a week.
Treatment your doctor may offer
If tests show the tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may give you a short course of antibiotic tablets.
If the antibiotic tablets don't help and your symptoms are getting worse, your doctor may refer you to hospital so that antibiotics can be given directly into a vein.
Surgery to remove the tonsils
A small number of children and adults keep getting tonsillitis, or it lasts longer than usual. This is called chronic tonsillitis, and surgery may be needed in these cases.
Surgery to remove the tonsils, known as a tonsillectomy, is usually recommended only if:
- you've had several severe episodes of tonsillitis over a long period of time
- these repeated episodes are disrupting your normal daily activities
Prevention
How to prevent tonsillitis from spreading to others
Complications
Complications of tonsillitis
Complications of tonsillitis are rare and usually only occur if it’s caused by a bacterial infection. They’re usually the result of the infection spreading to another part of the body.
Possible complications of tonsillitis include:
- quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) – an abscess (collection of pus) that develops between one of the tonsils and the wall of the throat
- obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – where the walls of the throat relax during sleep, which causes breathing difficulties and poor sleep
Other complications of tonsillitis are very rare. They usually only occur if an underlying bacterial infection is left untreated.
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