Tonsillitis
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is an infection in your tonsils. Your tonsils are two small, almond-shaped mounds that sit on either side of the back of your throat. If they get infected with a virus or bacteria, it can make you ill. You might need to take a few days off school or work.
Your tonsils are part of your body's
immune system. Your immune system fights infections and helps you stay healthy. Your tonsils help protect the rest of your body from
bacteria and
viruses that get into your mouth. But sometimes, viruses or bacteria attack the tonsils themselves. This can make them swollen and
inflamed. This is when you get the painful symptoms of tonsillitis.
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
inflammation
If your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot or sore, we say it is inflamed. It means that your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something in your body tissues that can hurt you (like a thorn or sliver), or from things that cause allergies (allergens). Inflammation is part of the way the body heals an infection or injury.
If your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot or sore, we say it is inflamed. It means that your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something in your body tissues that can hurt you (like a thorn or sliver), or from things that cause allergies (allergens). Inflammation is part of the way the body heals an infection or injury.
Your tonsils sit at the back of your throat.
You may also get the infection in other parts of your throat.
Lots of different bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis. You can pick them up easily from other people who are ill. For
example, you might breathe in droplets in the air that contain viruses or bacteria.
The bacteria that most commonly cause tonsillitis are called Streptococcus.
1 These bacteria can also cause a sore throat without affecting your tonsils. You might hear a sore throat or tonsillitis called strep throat.
Source:
American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Head and Neck Surgery. Tonsils and adenoids.
Available at http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoids.cfm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Head and Neck Surgery. Tonsils and adenoids.
Available at http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoids.cfm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
You won't be able to tell what's caused your tonsillitis. The symptoms are the same whether it's caused by bacteria or a virus.
2
Source:
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guideline 34. 1999. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk (accessed on 16 June 2008).
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guideline 34. 1999. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk (accessed on 16 June 2008).
If you have one attack of tonsillitis, doctors call it acute tonsillitis. But if you get tonsillitis a lot, your doctor may say you have recurrent tonsillitis. This is a severe form of tonsillitis. It usually means you have five or more episodes a year and your symptoms are bad enough
to stop you from doing your normal activities.
2
Source:
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guideline 34. 1999. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk (accessed on 16 June 2008).
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guideline 34. 1999. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk (accessed on 16 June 2008).
Tonsillitis affects children more often than adults.
3 Girls may get recurrent tonsillitis more than boys.
4
Source:
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: tonsillitis.
January 2005. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001043.htm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: tonsillitis.
January 2005. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001043.htm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
Source:
Kvestad E, Kvaerner KJ, Roysamb E, et al.
Heritability of recurrent tonsillitis: archives of recurrent tonsillitis.
Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2005; 131: 383-387.
Kvestad E, Kvaerner KJ, Roysamb E, et al.
Heritability of recurrent tonsillitis: archives of recurrent tonsillitis.
Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2005; 131: 383-387.
Sources for the information on this page:
- American Academy of Otolaryngology.Head and Neck Surgery. Tonsils and adenoids. Available at http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoids.cfm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
- Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy.Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guideline 34. 1999. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk (accessed on 16 June 2008).
- U.S. National Library of Medicine.Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: tonsillitis.January 2005. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001043.htm (accessed on 16 June 2008).
- Kvestad E, Kvaerner KJ, Roysamb E, et al.Heritability of recurrent tonsillitis: archives of recurrent tonsillitis.Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2005; 131: 383-387.
This information was last updated on Jul 01, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional.
The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.
Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Find a condition
Search
Condition name not found!
