Both bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis. Here are some of them:
These germs are usually easily passed from one person to another (contagious).
Each person may have slightly different symptoms. These are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis:
You may not have any symptoms but still have the strep bacteria. You can pass these bacteria on to another person.
A complication of tonsillitis is an area around the tonsils filled with bacteria. This is called a peritonsillar abscess. You may have these symptoms:
The symptoms of tonsillitis may look like other conditions or health problems. Always see your health care provider for a diagnosis.
Your health care provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:
Tonsillitis caused by a virus is treated differently from tonsillitis caused by bacteria. Your health care provider may give you antibiotic medicine for tonsillitis caused by bacteria. He or she may give you antiviral medicine to treat tonsillitis caused by a virus.
If your tonsillitis comes back again and again, your provider may recommend surgery. The surgery will remove your tonsils.
You may need treatment right away if you develop a peritonsillar abscess. This is because the abscess may block your airway.
No vaccine or medicine can prevent tonsillitis. The following tips can help keep you from spreading an illness that can cause tonsillitis:
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider: