Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonsillitis is inflammation of thetonsils, which are twolymph nodeslocated on each side of the back of your throat. A viral or bacterial infection can cause tonsillitis, resulting in sore throat and other symptoms.
While tonsillitis is quite common during the preschool to middle-teen years, it can happen at any time in life. Treatments for tonsillitis have changed considerably in the past 30 years. However, the rate oftonsillectomy(surgery to remove the tonsils) has actually risen since the 1970s.
This article covers the symptoms of tonsillitis along with how it is treated, how long it is contagious, what viruses cause tonsillitis, and more.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Understanding Tonsillitis
There are three pairs of tonsils in your body:
Tonsillitis is common, with most people experiencing at least one episode before adulthood, and it is highly contagious. It is most often seen in children ages 5 to 15 but can also occur between the ages of 15 and 25.The risk tends to decline as a person gets older.
How Long Is Tonsillitis Contagious?Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, but the viral and bacterial infections that cause it are. The infection may be contagious for two to three days before symptoms appear and stay contagious until symptoms resolve. People who take antibiotics for bacterial tonsillitis stop being contagious after about 24 hours.
How Long Is Tonsillitis Contagious?
Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, but the viral and bacterial infections that cause it are. The infection may be contagious for two to three days before symptoms appear and stay contagious until symptoms resolve. People who take antibiotics for bacterial tonsillitis stop being contagious after about 24 hours.
What Causes Tonsillitis?
Some of the more common viral causes include:
The most common bacterial causes include:
Non-infectious causes ofswollen tonsilsare rarer but may includecancer of the tonsilsandcryptic tonsils.
What Are Tonsil Stones?
Symptoms of tonsillitis tend to appear quickly and resolve within three to 14 days, often without treatment. The signs and symptoms may include:
The diagnosis of tonsillitis is based first on a physical exam and a review of your medical history. In cases where there aresymptoms of strep throat(fever, tonsillar exudate, swollen lymph nodes around the neck, andnocoughing), the healthcare provider will take a swab of your throat and have it cultured in a lab to confirm the presence of the strep bacteria. Lab results typically take between 24 and 48 hours.
Newer, rapid genetic tests can be used and, while slightly less sensitive than a throat culture, are able to return results in as little as 10 minutes.
Treatments for Tonsillitis
The symptoms of tonsillitis tend to be more annoying than serious and usually require little medical intervention.
If the tonsils are so large that they interfere with breathing, the practitioner may prescribe an oral corticosteroid (steroid) drug to help reduce their size. However, steroids of any sort should be used with caution due to their significantside effects.
Tonsillectomy
If you have chronic or recurrent tonsillitis that is impacting your quality of life, your healthcare provider may recommend atonsillectomy.There are several methods for performing this surgery, among them ultrasonic scalpels, high-frequency plasma scalpels, electrical cauterization, and traditional “cold knife” surgeries.
While tonsillectomies are relatively common and safe, it is important to discuss both the risks and benefits of the surgery with your practitioner.
Tonsillectomy: Having Your Tonsils Removed
Home Remedies to Try
Whether or not you are prescribed treatment,home remedies for tonsillitiscan greatly alleviate many of the symptoms. In addition to using an over-the-counter pain reliever, try:
It is important to note that aspirin should be avoided in children with any viral infection due to an increased risk ofReye’s syndrome, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain and liver.
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Related Complications
It’s important to remember that most cases of tonsillitis resolve on their own without causing lingering problems. However, serious or recurrent cases can lead to complications such asotitis media(middle ear infection) orperitonsillar abscess(the formation of a pus-filled pocket near the tonsils).
The tonsils can sometimes become so swollen that they interfere with breathing and swallowing. This can lead to a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing for brief periods of time while sleeping. This can lead to daytime fatigue, depression, mood swings, and other, more serious health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a leading indication for tonsillectomies in persons with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
A Word From Verywell
If someone in your family has tonsillitis, it is best to isolate that person and keep others, especially children, well away until the symptoms are resolved. Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles, and utensils. If you’re treating a family member, wash your hands after touching them and consider wearing a face mask if there is any coughing or sneezing. Do not allow a child to go to school until she or he is fully recovered and no longer contagious.
You most likely won’t be able to tell if your infection is viral or bacterial on your own. If you have symptoms of tonsillitis, you should see your healthcare provider for an evaluation. After swabbing your throat, a culture test can be performed in a lab to determine what type of infection you have.
While a dash of lemon in a warm tea can do wonders to break down mucus in your throat when you have a cold, drinking lemon juice may not be the best choice when you have tonsillitis. Lemon and other citrusy drinks are quite acidic, which may only increase irritation in an already-inflamed throat.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Erickson B, Larsen D, St. Sauver J, et al.Changes in incidence and indications of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy, 1970-2005.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2009;140(6):894-901. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2009.01.044Stelter, K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013;13:doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110Georgalas CC, Tolley NS, Narula A.Tonsillitis.BMJ Clin Evid. 2009;0503.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Erickson B, Larsen D, St. Sauver J, et al.Changes in incidence and indications of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy, 1970-2005.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2009;140(6):894-901. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2009.01.044Stelter, K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013;13:doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110Georgalas CC, Tolley NS, Narula A.Tonsillitis.BMJ Clin Evid. 2009;0503.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Erickson B, Larsen D, St. Sauver J, et al.Changes in incidence and indications of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy, 1970-2005.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2009;140(6):894-901. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2009.01.044Stelter, K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013;13:doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110Georgalas CC, Tolley NS, Narula A.Tonsillitis.BMJ Clin Evid. 2009;0503.
Erickson B, Larsen D, St. Sauver J, et al.Changes in incidence and indications of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy, 1970-2005.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2009;140(6):894-901. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2009.01.044
Stelter, K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Ortorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013;13:doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110
Georgalas CC, Tolley NS, Narula A.Tonsillitis.BMJ Clin Evid. 2009;0503.
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