The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Therefore, the best prevention is to practice good hygiene. Teach your child to:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Inflamed tonsils Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Inflamed tonsils Tonsils are fleshy pads located at each side of the back of the throat. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kliegman RM, et al. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Streptococcus bacteria is the cause of strep throat.
If not treated properly with antibiotics, strep can lead to rheumatic fever, especially in young children, which is an inflammatory disorder that affects the heart, joints, and other tissues in the body.
In addition, there is an increased risk of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, which is a kidney disorder. Other Causes for Swollen Tonsils Your tonsils can swell and become inflamed due to allergies. Sexually transmitted diseases STD may also cause swollen tonsils. In this article, we discuss the common causes and treatment of swollen tonsils.
We also explain when to see a doctor. Viruses and bacteria can infect the tonsils, which may cause swelling and exudate — a gray coating that covers the tonsils. Other symptoms can include headaches , fever , fatigue , bad breath , and a loss of appetite. A person may experience swelling on just one side of the throat if only one tonsil is infected. People can take antibiotics to treat severe bacterial tonsilitis infections.
However, if they experience tonsillitis more than five times in a year, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tonsils. Over-the-counter OTC medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen , can help alleviate symptoms, including a headache, sore throat , and fever, until the infection goes away. Streptococcus pyogenes can infect the throat and cause the tonsils to swell and become inflamed.
Some people may also experience other symptoms, such as headaches and stomach pain. Doctors treat severe cases of strep throat with antibiotics — usually penicillin or amoxicillin — but alternative treatments are available to people who are allergic to these antibiotics. Viruses can also cause strep throat with slightly different accompanying symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, and mouth ulcers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC note that several types of adenoviruses cause respiratory infections, including colds, pneumonia , and bronchitis.
Adenoviruses may also cause recurrent tonsil infections in people with a weakened immune system, though these infections may not always present with symptoms. As most adenoviruses are mild, people do not usually need treatment, and the virus may go away on its own.
The symptoms of an Epstein-Barr virus infection, such as mononucleosis, include swollen tonsils, fever, fatigue, and skin rashes. Adults and teenagers usually recover in 2—4 weeks , but, in some cases, symptoms such as fatigue may linger for several weeks or months. There is no vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus. However, as the virus can spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, especially saliva, people can often avoid it by maintaining a distance from people who have the virus and not sharing toothbrushes and drinks with them.
Once a person has the virus, it will remain in the body in an inactive state but may reactivate at certain times in their life. The flu may cause swollen tonsils and other symptoms, such as a cough, a sore throat, body aches, and, in some cases, fever. Swelling in the tonsils can be caused by many things. Tonsillitis and swollen tonsils are common in children, while cancer of the tonsils is very rare. In adults, some specific tonsil symptoms may indicate tonsil cancer.
These include:. In some instances, you may have trouble swallowing or difficulty breathing, with no pain or discomfort in your throat. This symptom is sometimes associated with tonsil cancer, especially if it lasts a long time. It may also be caused by a number of other conditions, including GERD , postnasal drip, and seasonal allergies. Children with abnormally shaped palates may also have swollen tonsils without pain.
Tonsils can be different sizes in different people, especially children. If your tonsils feel swollen or appear enlarged for an extended period of time, this might be a sign of throat cancer. Swollen tonsils without fever can also be caused by allergies, tooth decay, and gum disease. Having one swollen tonsil can be an indicator of tonsil cancer. It may also be caused by something else , such as lesions on the vocal cords from overuse, postnasal drip, or a tooth abscess.
Your doctor will want to determine the root cause of your condition. Your doctor will look for signs of strep throat. This test takes a swab sample from your throat, and it can identify strep bacteria very quickly. If the test is negative but your doctor is still concerned, they may take a throat culture with a long, sterile swab that will be analyzed in a lab. A blood test called the CBC , or complete blood count, can sometimes help to determine if the cause of your swollen tonsils is viral or bacterial.
This test looks for the heterophil antibodies that suggests mononucleosis infection.
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