Swelling of the Tonsils
Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat. Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments. Tonsils and adenoids are near the entrance to the breathing passages where they can catch incoming germs, which cause infections.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection in one or both tonsils. One sign is swelling of the tonsils. Other signs or symptoms are:
- Redder than normal tonsils
- A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
- A slight voice change due to swelling
- Sore throat
- Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
- Fever
- Bad breath
If you or your child's adenoids are enlarged, it may be hard to breathe through the nose. Other signs of constant enlargement are:
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose most of the time
- Nose sounds "blocked" when the person speaks
- Noisy breathing during the day
- Recurrent infections of the ear, tonsil or sinus
- Snoring at night
- Breathing stops for a few seconds at night during snoring or loud breathing (sleep apnea)
Treatment Options
Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:
- How old you are
- Your overall health and past health
- How sick you are
- How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
- How long the condition is expected to last
- Your opinion or preference
Tonsillitis caused by a virus is treated differently from tonsillitis caused by bacteria. Your healthcare provider may give you antibiotic medicine for tonsillitis caused by bacteria. He or she may give you antiviral medicine to treat tonsillitis caused by a virus. If your tonsillitis comes back again and again, your provider may recommend surgery to remove your tonsils.