What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an infection or inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are areas of lymph tissue on both sides of the throat, above and behind the tongue. They are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection. Tonsillitis often goes away on its own after 4 to 10 days.

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are a sore throat and swollen tonsils. The throat and tonsils usually look red and swollen. The tonsils may have spots on them or pus that covers them completely or in patches. Other symptoms include:

• A fever.
• Bad breath.
• A congested or runny nose.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Trouble swallowing.
• A headache.
• Belly pain.

If you feel like you have a cold with symptoms such as runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing, a virus is most likely the cause of your tonsillitis.

If you have a sore throat plus a sudden fever and swollen lymph nodes, but you don't have symptoms of a cold, the infection is more likely caused by bacteria.

Your doctor will look at your throat to see if you have red and swollen tonsils with spots or sores. These signs can mean that you have tonsillitis. Your doctor may do a rapid strep test along with a throat culture. These will show if the tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria.

If your tonsillitis is caused by strep bacteria, you may need treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics can help prevent rare but serious problems caused by strep. They can also control the spread of infection. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them as directed. Don't stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Tonsillitis caused by a virus will usually go away on its own. Treatment includes self-care at home, such as over-the-counter pain medicine. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Surgery to remove your tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be recommended if you've had repeated infections. Other reasons include serious problems such as a peritonsillar abscess or obstructive sleep apnea.

• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Gargle with warm salt water several times a day to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. No one younger than 20 should take aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Be careful when taking over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Try lozenges or an over-the-counter throat spray to relieve throat pain.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids may help soothe an irritated throat. Drink warm or cold liquids (whichever feels better). These include tea, soup, ice, and flavored ice pops (such as Popsicles).
• If you smoke, try to quit. If you can't quit, cut back as much as you can. Smoking can interfere with healing. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to the area where you sleep. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
• Get plenty of rest.