Common symptoms
- Sore throat and pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- Swollen, tender glands in the neck
- With enlarged tonsils: snoring, mouth breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep
Common causes
- Viral infections (most common)
- Bacterial infections, such as streptococcus
- Natural enlargement of tonsils and adenoids in childhood
When to see an ENT specialist
- A sore throat is severe or does not improve after a few days
- Tonsillitis keeps coming back
- A child snores regularly or has pauses in breathing at night
- One tonsil looks much larger than the other
Seek urgent medical care if
- Difficulty breathing
- Unable to swallow fluids, or drooling
- Severe pain on one side with difficulty opening the mouth or a muffled voice
How it is usually assessed
An ENT specialist will usually examine the throat and neck and ask how often episodes happen and how they affect daily life or sleep.
General management
Most tonsillitis improves with rest, fluids and pain relief. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics when a bacterial infection is suspected. Removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be discussed for frequent, recurrent tonsillitis or breathing problems during sleep.
This page provides general information only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe the specific services of any doctor. Please consult a doctor about your own situation.