Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are two masses of tissue at the back of the throat that act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter the airways and cause infection. Tonsillitis is most often caused by a viral infection, but bacterial infections can also be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria can also cause tonsillitis. The tonsils are the immune systems first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter the mouth, which makes them particularly vulnerable to infection and inflammation. However, the tonsils immune system function declines after puberty, which may account for the rare cases of tonsillitis in adults.
Risk factors for tonsillitis include young age, frequent exposure to germs, and living or working in close proximity to children. Symptoms of tonsillitis include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck, fever, chills, bad breath, a scratchy or muffled voice, and stiff neck. In children, symptoms may also include upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, drooling, and not wanting to eat or swallow.
Complications of tonsillitis can include inflammation or swelling of the tonsils from frequent or ongoing (chronic) tonsillitis, which can cause disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) and infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar abscess) .
In summary, tonsillitis in adults is most often caused by a viral infection, but bacterial infections can also be the cause. Risk factors include young age, frequent exposure to germs, and living or working in close proximity to children. Symptoms include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck, fever, chills, bad breath, a scratchy or muffled voice, and stiff neck. Complications can include disrupted breathing during sleep and infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue.
