Infection can also occur if pathogens get on your skin or on objects that come in contact with your mouth, nose, eyes, or other mucous membranes. Symptoms usually appear about 2 to 5 days after exposure. A person with tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria is contagious early on and, without treatment, can remain so for up to 2 weeks.
Antibiotics shorten the contagious period, and an infected person is no longer contagious about 24 to 48 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy. More symptoms occur in most cases. Some or all of the following may be present:.
When you have sore throat plus cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, the cause is most likely a virus. Viral infection of the tonsils usually goes away without treatment within 2 weeks.
Sore throat with, swollen glands, a sudden fever above Tonsillitis, in most cases, lasts 4 to 10 days. A bacterial sore throat may last slightly longer but usually gets better with antibiotics.
In some cases, tonsillitis can become chronic. Surgical removal of the tonsils tonsillectomy may be recommended for you or your child based on past health and results of physical examinations.
Tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria that is not treated with antibiotics may result in complications , such as ear and sinus infections or pockets of infection outside the tonsils peritonsillar abscess. More serious complications, such as rheumatic fever , are rare. Recurrent and ongoing chronic tonsillitis may obstruct the upper airway and cause problems, such as snoring, nasal congestion, and mouth breathing. Sometimes chronic tonsillitis can lead to more severe conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and heart and lung problems.
But most children who have sleep apnea and enlarged tonsils do not have a history of tonsillitis. Close contact with an infected person is the main risk factor for tonsillitis. You may then become infected after breathing in these droplets. Infection can also occur if pathogens get on your skin or on objects that come in contact with the mouth, nose, eyes, or other mucous membranes.
Nasal obstruction causes you to breathe through your mouth, which increases the risk of tonsillitis. Call your doctor if any of the following occur. Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your or your child's symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting is appropriate if tonsillitis occurs along with cold symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and coughing. Tonsillitis with these symptoms is most often caused by a virus.
Viral infection of the tonsils can be treated at home and in most cases goes away without treatment within 2 weeks. In general, the more like a cold the condition is, the less likely it is that the condition is caused by strep bacteria. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if tonsillitis occurs with a fever of If these symptoms occur together, see a doctor. You may have strep throat, which should be treated promptly. Your family doctor or general practitioner can evaluate tonsillitis, perform quick tests or throat cultures, and prescribe antibiotic treatment if needed.
If surgery to remove the tonsils tonsillectomy is indicated, your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist ear, nose, and throat, or ENT, doctor. Diagnosis of tonsillitis is based on a medical history and a physical examination of the throat. An accurate medical history is needed to find out whether tonsillitis is recurrent, which may affect treatment choices.
If your symptoms suggest strep throat, your doctor may want to confirm this diagnosis by doing a throat culture. Strep throat is more likely if 3 or 4 of the following signs or symptoms are present:.
If a strep infection is suspected, your doctor may do a throat culture or a rapid strep test or both. Both of these tests can be done in a doctor's office. You may want to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each test to see which test is appropriate. The results of these tests will determine whether antibiotic treatment is needed. These results combined with an accurate medical history will be considered in deciding whether surgery to remove the tonsils tonsillectomy is recommended.
If the Epstein-Barr virus, which can cause mononucleosis , is suspected as a cause for the tonsillitis, a test for mononucleosis may be done. Tonsillitis is most often caused by a virus, which resolves on its own.
But tonsillitis can be caused by strep bacteria, which requires treatment with antibiotics. Watch for signs of dehydration , such as a dry mouth and tongue. Also, watch for signs of complications, such as ear pain, from tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective treatment for viral tonsillitis. The virus that causes mononucleosis mono can lead to tonsillitis that is as severe as tonsillitis caused by bacteria and can take several weeks or more before it goes away.
Home treatments such as drinking warm tea, and taking over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help relieve discomfort. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 because of its link to Reye syndrome , a serious but rare problem. Many non-prescription remedies such as antiseptic mouthwashes, decongestants , and antihistamines contain extra ingredients that don't relieve discomfort.
These remedies are not recommended for children, because they have not been proved to have any benefits in the treatment of acute tonsillitis. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instruction on the label. Antibiotics are prescribed for tonsillitis caused by strep bacteria. A strep infection will usually go away on its own, but antibiotic treatment is needed because untreated strep throat can cause serious complications.
For more information, see the topic Strep Throat. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure you take them exactly as directed by your doctor. Antibiotics should be taken for the entire duration of the prescription, even if the symptoms disappear completely before the prescription is gone.
If antibiotics used to treat tonsillitis are not taken as directed, bacteria can become resistant to them antibiotic resistance. In these cases, antibiotic treatment of future infections may not work.
Surgical removal of the tonsils tonsillectomy is still a common procedure, particularly for children. But it is not done nearly as often as it was in the past. Tonsillectomy may be considered to treat tonsillitis when a child has serious complications, recurrent infections, or chronic infections that do not respond to treatment and interfere with daily functioning.
But the risks and benefits of surgery need to be weighed carefully. Tonsillectomy should only be done after you and your doctor carefully consider your or your child's overall health.
A wide variety of viruses and bacteria can cause tonsillitis, so the best prevention is to follow basic health and hygiene precautions. These steps are especially helpful for children:.
The goal of home treatment of tonsillitis caused by a virus is to manage symptoms as the body fights off the infection. Home treatment eases the discomfort of sore throat and symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and coughing. Things that may help you or your child feel better include:. Ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve sore throat pain.
Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give.
Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 because of its link to Reye syndrome, a serious but rare problem. Cough and cold medicines may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems.
Before you use these medicines, check the label. Many over-the-counter remedies, including antiseptic mouthwashes, decongestants , and antihistamines , contain extra ingredients that don't relieve discomfort. These remedies are not recommended for children, since these ingredients have not been proved to have any benefits in the treatment of acute tonsillitis. No matter what is causing the tonsillitis, there are some things you can do to help your child feel better.
Make sure that your child. Your child usually gets the surgery and goes home later that day. Very young children and people who have complications may need to stay in the hospital overnight.
It can take a week or two before your child completely recovers from the surgery. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Tonsillitis Also called: Tonsil Inflammation. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Reference Desk Find an Expert. What are tonsils? What is tonsillitis? What causes tonsillitis? Who is at risk for tonsillitis? Adults can get tonsillitis, but it is not very common. Is tonsillitis contagious? What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
The symptoms of tonsillitis include A sore throat , which may be severe Red, swollen tonsils Trouble swallowing A white or yellow coating on the tonsils Swollen glands in the neck Fever Bad breath When does my child need to see a health care provider for tonsillitis? You should call your health care provider if your child Has a sore throat for more than two days Has trouble or pain when swallowing Feels very sick or very weak You should get emergency care right away if your child Has trouble breathing Starts drooling Has a lot of trouble swallowing How is tonsillitis diagnosed?
What are the treatments for tonsillitis? Make sure that your child Gets a lot of rest Drinks plenty of fluids Tries eating soft foods if it hurts to swallow Tries eating warm liquids or cold foods like popsicles to soothe the throat Isn't around cigarette smoke or do anything else that could irritate the throat Sleeps in a room with a humidifier Gargles with saltwater Sucks on a lozenge but do not give them to children under four; they can choke on them Takes an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen.
Bacterial tonsillitis can sometimes lead to a build-up of pus on or around your tonsils. This is called a peritonsillar abscess or quinsy. If you have a peritonsillar abscess, you may have very bad pain in your throat, often worse on one side.
You may also have:. Peritonsillar abscess is more common in teenagers and young adults. But children can get it too. The abscess is usually treated with antibiotics and surgery to drain the pus. Find out why children pick up so many viruses and illnesses during childhood, how to manage them and when to seek medical advice.
They also discuss the implications of the pandemic on general immunity and if the vaccination programme will extend to children. You should be able to treat a sore throat at home without needing to see a GP. Most people with tonsillitis find their symptoms improve within a week. You should also contact your GP if you have:.
If your child keeps getting tonsillitis your GP may suggest an operation to remove their tonsils. Tonsillectomy does help most children, but the benefit may only be small. Like all operations, having a tonsillectomy carries some risks. If your child has only mild sore throats, it may be better to wait and see if the problem clears up on its own. Usually, tonsillitis becomes less common as children get older. So having a tonsillectomy may not be necessary. Every child is different, though.
Your child's surgeon will talk through the pros and cons of a tonsillectomy. Tonsillitis is often caused by cold and flu viruses. You may also get tonsillitis if streptococcal bacteria affect your throat. You catch these infections in the same way you catch a cold. Tiny droplets that pass into the air when you talk, cough or sneeze. You can use over-the-counter medicines to ease your symptoms. Rest and take it easy for a few days and drink plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated.
This is particularly important if you have a temperature. Around one in three cases of tonsillitis is caused by bacteria. Most bacterial tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Our short survey takes just a few minutes to complete and helps us to keep improving our health information. At Bupa we produce a wealth of free health information for you and your family.
This is because we believe that trustworthy information is essential in helping you make better decisions about your health and wellbeing. It also follows the principles of the The Information Standard. Adenoid and tonsil removal is a procedure that involves taking away small lumps of tissue at the back of your nose and throat. This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence.
It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. Any information about a treatment or procedure is generic, and does not necessarily describe that treatment or procedure as delivered by Bupa or its associated providers. The information contained on this page and in any third party websites referred to on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor is it intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Back to top Menu. About tonsillitis Your tonsils are two small round lumps of tissue at the back of your throat. Diagnosis of tonsillitis You can often ease tonsillitis at home without needing to see your GP.
Self-help for tonsillitis Tonsillitis usually improves on its own within a week without any antibiotics.
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