Tonsillitis typically presents with tonsils that appear red, swollen, and inflamed. The tonsils may also be covered with white or yellow patches or spots, which can look like pus

. Other visual signs include:

• Red, swollen tonsils at the back of the throat
• White or yellow coating or flecks on the tonsils
• Sometimes pus-filled spots on the tonsils

In addition to the visual appearance, symptoms often include a sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, fever, bad breath, and sometimes changes in the voice

. In young children, signs may also include drooling or refusal to eat due to painful swallowing

. Overall, tonsillitis looks like inflamed, enlarged tonsils with possible white or yellow patches, often accompanied by redness and swelling in the throat area