CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS FIND A DOCTOR FIND A DENTIST FIND LOWEST DRUG PRICES

  Tonsillitis SUBSCRIBE SEARCH

SEARCH 

A DV E RT I S E M E NT
Import Direct from Singapore
Used Singapore Cars Direct Exporters, Skip Middle Men and Import
Direct. Great Cars

Oral Care  Reference 

MENU 
TODAY ON WEBMD
Tonsillitis Diabetes and Your Mouth
Why dental care is important.

 
ARTICLES ON Dental Insurance Plans
What Is Tonsillitis? TONSILLITIS What type of plan is best for you?

Tonsillitis is an infection of your

 What Is Tonsillitis?
tonsils, two masses of tissue at the
Medicare and Dental
back of your throat. Coverage
Symptoms What you should know.
Your tonsils act as filters, trapping
germs that could otherwise enter Diagnosis & Treatment
Why Does My Jaw Hurt?
Common reasons for your pain.
your airways and cause infection.
They also make antibodies to fight
Anatomy of a Sore Throat
infection. But sometimes, they get
overwhelmed by bacteria or
viruses. This can make them
swollen and inflamed.

Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. It can happen once in a while or

come back again and again in a short period of time.

There are three types:

Start your degree
A DV E RT I S E M E NT

Acute tonsillitis. These symptoms usually last 3 or 4 days but can last up
to 2 weeks.
and save 66%

Recurrent tonsillitis. This is when you get tonsillitis several times in a year.
Chronic tonsillitis. This is when you have a long-term tonsil infection.
Start your European
Tonsillitis Symptoms studies whenever and
wherever you want.
The main symptoms of tonsillitis are inflamed and swollen tonsils, sometimes Request more information
now.
severe enough to make it hard to breathe through your mouth. Other symptoms
include:

Throat pain or tenderness

Red tonsils
A DV E RT I S E M E NT

A white or yellow coating on your tonsils

Painful blisters or ulcers on your throat RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Headache SLIDESHOW
What's Causing Your Dry Mouth?
Loss of appetite

Ear pain
QUIZ
Trouble swallowing Jaw Pain: Check Your TMD
Knowledge
Swollen glands in your neck or jaw

Fever and chills VIDEO

How to Treat a Toothache
Bad breath

A scratchy or muffled voice SLIDESHOW

Your Breath and Your Health
Stiff neck

A DV E RT I S E M E NT
SLIDESHOW
Tonsillitis Symptoms in Children What Is TMJ?

In children, symptoms may also include:

ARTICLE
Upset stomach 5 Tips for Preventing Plaque

Vomiting
Stomach pain TOOL
How Healthy Is Your Mouth?
Drooling

Not wanting to eat or swallow

VIDEO
How to Whiten Your Teeth
Tonsillitis Causes
Bacterial and viral infections cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus
(strep) bacteria, which can also cause strep throat. Other common causes
include:

Adenoviruses

Influenza virus
Epstein-Barr virus
Parainfluenza viruses

Enteroviruses
Herpes simplex virus A DV E RT I S E M E NT

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Tonsillitis Diagnosis
9 Tips for Fresh Breath
Your doctor will do a physical exam. They’ll look at your tonsils to see if they’re
Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth
red or swollen or have pus on them. They’ll also check for a fever. They may
look in your ears and nose for signs of infection and feel the sides of your neck 17 Common Mouth Problems
for swelling and pain.
Habits That Wreck Your Teeth

You might need tests to find the cause of your tonsillitis. They include:
Secrets to Whiter Teeth

A throat swab. Your doctor will test saliva and cells from your throat for Your Mouth and Your Health
strep bacteria. They’ll run a cotton swab along the back of your throat. This
might be uncomfortable but won’t hurt. Results are usually ready in 10 or
15 minutes. Sometimes, your doctor will also want a lab test that takes a
SUBSCRIBE TO WEBMD
couple of days. If these tests are negative, a virus caused your tonsillitis. NEWSLETTERS
A blood test. Your doctor may call this a complete blood cell count (CBC). It Food & Fitness
looks for high and low numbers of blood cells to show whether a virus or Women's Health
Men's Health
bacteria caused your tonsillitis.
Good Health

Enter email address

1 2 3 View All   NEXT PAGE
Subscribe

By clicking "Submit," I agree to the WebMD Terms and

Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive
emails from WebMD and I understand that I may opt out of
NEXT IN TONSILLITIS SERIES:
WebMD subscriptions at any time.

Symptoms


SPONSORED ADS

1 Dental Implant Prices 4 Nerve Pain Treatments

Emergency Dentist Near Ways to Control Bad

2 5
Me Breath

Affordable Senior Dental Mouthwashes for Oral

3 6
Implants Health

TOP PICKS FURTHER READING

12 Things That Can Harm The Tonsils (Human

Your Heart Anatomy): Picture,
Definition, Location, and
Problems
Oral Psoriasis: Symptoms
& Treatments
Peritonsillar Abscess
Basics
Body-Focused Repetitive
Behaviors: Can They Harm
Your Mouth? Understanding Tonsillitis
Treatment
What Is Oral Psoriasis?
Understanding the Basics
of Tonsillitis
Surprising Things That
Hurt Your Heart
Understanding Tonsillitis
Symptoms
15 Cancer Symptoms to
Know
Tonsil Stones
(Tonsilloliths)

Sleep Disorders in
Children

Tonsillitis Topics 

Health Solutions FROM OUR SPONSORS

Penis Curved When Erect Dupuytren’s Treatment Optimizing Oral Health Pediatric Surgery 101
Fight Against Cancer New Cancer Treatments Tired of Psoriasis? What Is AADC?
Caring For Your Dog New Cancer Research Medical Sunscreen Treat Enlarged Prostate
Indoor Allergen Relief Cancer Care Has Changed Type 2 Diabetes Guide Myths About Epilepsy

More from WebMD

MS: Tools to Keep Your Mind Sharp What Are Blocked Hair Follicles? Foods and Ulcerative Colitis Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
Non-Drug Migraine Relief First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare Common Psoriasis Triggers Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
Types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis Different Types of Psoriasis Multiple Myeloma Explained
How MS Affects Your Mind Psoriasis in the Salon Knee Replacement Timeline Where Breast Cancer Spreads

Policies WebMD Network Our Apps

Privacy Policy Medscape WebMD Mobile
   Cookie Policy Medscape Reference WebMD App
Editorial Policy MedicineNet Pregnancy
Advertising Policy eMedicineHealth Baby
Correction Policy RxList Allergy
Terms of Use OnHealth Medscape
WebMDRx
First Aid
About WebMD Magazine For Advertisers
WebMD Health Record
Contact Us Advertise with Us
Dictionary
About WebMD Advertising Policy
Physician Directory
Careers
Newsletter
Corporate
WebMD Health Services
Site Map
Accessibility

© 2005 - 2020 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
See additional information.