My Life is Vital™ - Discover All About Tonsillitis

Cold & Flu Center

Discover All About Tonsillitis

Vital Healthcare Group

Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become infected. The tonsils are lymphatic tissues in the back of the throat.

What causes it?

In a healthy mouth, the tonsils filter out bacteria and other germs to help prevent infection. If you are run down or exhausted, your tonsils may become overwhelmed by viral or bacterial infection.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

With tonsillitis, you will feel a sore throat. You may have difficulty swallowing because of the swelling. If you look at your tonsils with a mirror, they will appear red, swollen, and may be coated in white spots. You may also have a fever and feel achy all over and fatigued.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Get plenty of rest. Sleep is important to boost immune function and give the body time to heal.

Drink plenty of liquids. Your tonsils act as filters for bacteria and foreign invaders. Keeping your body well hydrated helps tonsils to function optimally and helps to prevent their congestion.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help resolve the sore throat pain of tonsillitis. If you are allergic to aspirin, avoid ibuprofen, too, as it may cause wheezing and congestion. Gargle gently with warm salt water. While vigorous gargling may injure the inflamed tissue in the throat, swishing warm salt water around and spitting it out may help alleviate the pain and scratchiness of tonsillitis.

When to call the doctor

If the tonsillitis worsens with increased or persistent pain, if you cannot swallow or have difficulty breathing, or if your fever spikes higher than 101 degrees F, call your doctor. You may have a bacterial infection that needs medical treatment.