Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils — the two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — most often caused by a viral infection, though bacteria (including strep) can also be responsible.

Symptoms

Typical signs include a sore throat, red and swollen tonsils sometimes with white or yellow patches, painful swallowing, fever, swollen neck glands, and bad breath. Symptoms overlap considerably with a general sore throat, but the visibly swollen, coated tonsils on examination are what specifically point to tonsillitis.

Viral vs. Bacterial

Viral tonsillitis, the more common type, typically resolves on its own within seven to ten days with supportive care. Bacterial tonsillitis needs antibiotics, confirmed with a throat swab test — treating it matters both for symptom relief and to prevent rare complications such as a peritonsillar abscess or, for untreated strep infections specifically, rheumatic fever.

Treatment

Rest, fluids, warm salt water gargles, and pain relievers help with viral tonsillitis; a full course of prescribed antibiotics is needed for bacterial cases, even after symptoms start to improve.

When Tonsil Removal Is Considered

Tonsillectomy (surgical removal) is generally reserved for tonsillitis that recurs frequently (typically seven or more episodes in a year, or a lesser frequency sustained over two to three years), causes breathing or sleep problems due to enlarged tonsils, or leads to complications — it's a specific decision made with an ENT specialist, not a routine step for occasional tonsillitis.