Assessment
Questionnaire
Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
Tonsillitis is an acute swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the tonsils. Tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection or a viral infection. The most common bacterial infection that causes tonsillitis is strep throat, caused by a group A streptococcal infection of the tonsils and throat.
The tonsils are two glands located in the back of the throat. The tonsils belong to the lymphatic system and the immune system and help to protect the body from upper respiratory infections. The role of the tonsils is especially important in young children. Tonsillitis can occur to anyone with tonsils but is most common in children.
When a bacterial infection or a viral infection causes tonsillitis, the throat and tonsils become red, swollen, and white patches of pus may appear on the tonsils. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, headache, fever, and swollen glands (swollen lymph nodes). Complications of tonsillitis are possible in some cases. Complications can include cervical adenitis and tonsil abscess. For additional symptoms and more information about complications, refer to symptoms of tonsillitis.
The bacterial infections and viral infections that cause tonsillitis are contagious and spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. This shoots droplets contaminated with bacteria or a virus into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Bacterial infections and viral infections that cause tonsillitis can also spread by touching an infected person or a contaminated surface, such as a contaminated drinking glass or computer keyboard.
Making a diagnosis of tonsillitis involves taking a thorough health history, including symptoms, and performing a physical exam. This includes examining the throat for the typical signs of tonsillitis. These include swelling, redness and irritation of the throat and tonsils and the presence of pockets of pus on the tonsils.
At this time a throat culture and sensitivity is also performed. A throat culture and sensitivity involves swabbing the tonsils and tonsils with a cotton swab and growing and examining the sample under a microscope for a possible bacterial infection, such as a group A streptococcal infection. This test can take up to two days. A similar but quicker test that can be done in less than half an hour is also often performed. This is called a rapid strep test, which can check for a group A streptococcal infection.
An examination also includes feeling the lymph glands for signs of swelling.
Blood tests, may be performed If a person with tonsillitis is very ill, has a high fever, signs of an infection in other areas of the body, or has had symptoms for more than two weeks. Blood tests may include a complete blood count, which tests for an abnormally high number of white blood cells. This indicates an infectious process occurring in the body.
Because tonsillitis can mimic mononucleosis, a rapid test called a monospot may also be done to check for mononucleosis. A monospot test might be performed in conjunction with a blood test that checks for the presence of specific antibodies that the body produces to fight mononucleosis.
It is possible that a diagnosis of tonsillitis can be delayed or overlooked because the symptoms may resemble symptoms of other diseases, such as mononucleosis. For information about misdiagnosis and diseases and conditions that can mimic tonsillitis, refer to misdiagnosis oftonsillitis.
Treatment of tonsillitis includes measures to help relieve symptoms and keep the body as strong as possible to minimize the risk of developing complications. This includes rest, medications to ease body aches and fever, and drinking plenty of fluids. People who are in good health can generally recover from the tonsillitis at home with supportive care, such as rest, fluids, and pain relievers. Antibiotics are only prescribed if the tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, such as in strep throat. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of tonsillitis....more »
Misdiagnosing tonsillitis is possible because the symptoms of tonsillitis can mimic other diseases, such as influenza, cold, mononucleosis, pharyngitis, pharyngitis, lymphoma, and upper respiratory infection. ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Tonsillitis.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 17 causes of Tonsillitis
» Review Causes of Tonsillitis: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Home medical tests possibly related to Tonsillitis:
Review causes of more specific types of Tonsillitis:
See full list of 3 types for Tonsillitis
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Tonsillitis, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Tonsillitis
Treatment of tonsillitis begins with preventing the spread of the virus or bacterium that can cause it. Prevention measures include avoiding contact with people who have tonsillitis. Preventive measures also include covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you sneeze or cough and washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. It is also important ...Tonsillitis Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Tonsillitis may include:
Review further information on Tonsillitis Treatments.
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Tonsillitis may include:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Tonsillitis as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 2
medications causing Tonsillitis
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Tonsillitis may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Tonsillitis
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Tonsillitis:
Read more about causes and Tonsillitis deaths.
Mild worm infections undiagnosed in children: Human worm infestations, esp. threadworm, can be overlooked in some cases, because it may cause only mild or even absent symptoms....read more »
Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be over-diagnosed (it can, of course,...read more »
Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure. The "cuff" around the arm to measure blood pressure can simply be too small to accurately...read more »
Children with migraine often misdiagnosed: A migraine often fails to be correctly diagnosed in pediatric patients. These patients are not the typical migraine sufferers, but migraines can also occur in children. See misdiagnosis of migraine or ...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Tonsillitis
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Tonsillitis:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings »
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Tonsillitis as a symptom include:
See full list of 17
causes of Tonsillitis
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Inflammation of the tonsils, especially the palatine tonsils. It is often caused by a bacterium. Tonsillitis may be acute, chronic, or recurrent.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Inflammation of the tonsils (especially the palatine tonsils)
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
The list below shows some of the causes of Tonsillitis mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 17 causes of Tonsillitis
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Tonsillitis. Of the 17 causes of Tonsillitis that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 17 causes of Tonsillitis
The following list of conditions have 'Tonsillitis' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Tonsillitis or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Tonsillitis or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
See a list of all the medical forums
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Tonsillitis based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Tonsils inflammed
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Medical Conditions associated with Tonsillitis:
Tonsil symptoms (24 causes), Mouth symptoms (6864 causes), Inflammatory symptoms (1736 causes), Throat symptoms (3410 causes), Neck symptoms (833 causes), Head symptoms (10192 causes), Respiratory tract symptoms (5166 causes), Swallowing symptoms (664 causes), Digestive symptoms (5299 causes), Breathing symptoms (3381 causes), Breath symptoms (3023 causes), Eating symptoms (2462 causes), Food symptoms (1907 causes), Esophagus symptoms (3079 causes), Face symptoms (8109 causes)
Symptoms related to Tonsillitis:
Tonsil symptoms (24 causes), Throat symptoms (3410 causes), Sore throat (512 causes), Red throat (44 causes), Adenoid symptoms, Acute tonsillitis, Chronic tonsillitis, Streptococcus, Diptheria, Upper respiratory tract infections, Peritonsillar abscess (7 causes), Quinsy, Carcinoma of the tonsil
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 7 May, 2013 (0:25)
