Understanding Tonsillitis: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
1 April, 2025
The tonsils are a pair of pad-like tissue found at the back of your mouth, near the entrance to the throat and on both sides of the hanging uvula. They are mainly involved in keeping your mouth and throat infection free, when you breathe in or drink or eat something which may be potentially infected. The suffix ‘-itis’ is used to signify that there is inflammation due to infection in the body. So, tonsillitis by extension means that the tonsils have been infected and are hence swollen or inflamed. This can happen due to viral or bacterial infections. As always, remember to NOT take antibiotics if you know it is a viral infection.
Early Signs And Symptoms Of Tonsillitis In Adults And Children-
Some of the earliest symptoms that you need to be aware of are as follows-
- You may not be able to swallow normally as the tonsils are inflamed
- They may look red, or have white spots on them
- You will mostly have a high fever too
- The lymph nodes at the neck will also be swollen
- Halitosis or bad breath is common
- You may have to deal with a stiff neck
- You could have a bad headache too
Though the symptoms are pretty much the same in both children and adults, kids may show a few additional ones too- like drooling too much, crying a lot and not wanting to eat or drink anything at all.
Difference Between Viral And Bacterial Tonsillitis-
The main difference between viral and bacterial tonsillitis is in the degree of severity of symptoms. Viral tonsillitis is not as severe and goes away without any need for medication, within a week or so. For bacterial tonsillitis, your symptoms may be pretty bad and you’ll feel super lousy. Antibiotics may be prescribed if you don’t get better in a week. These pathogens spread the same way as those of a flu or related infection. You should hence not come in contact with contaminated surfaces and touch your face or kiss, hug or eat from the same plate or bowl as an infected person.
How Long Does Tonsillitis Last Without Treatment?
Viral tonsillitis is like the flu and will go away in a week but bacterial tonsillitis can last longer and get worse without timely treatment. If you think your symptoms are pretty bad and need help, you should talk to a doctor soon. Your doctor may ask for a culture test to be done – where they will check if there is a bacterium or a virus that is causing your symptoms. Only bacteria can grow in petri dishes in the lab, while viruses need a live host. So, if the culture tests come back positive, you know it is a bacterial infection and can take antibiotics accordingly. You should go to a doctor if you have a high fever with a sore throat for longer than 4-5 days and are not able to breathe freely.
Conclusion
Home remedies are pretty helpful once you know that it is a virus causing your symptoms. Eat only soft or mushy foods and drink plenty of warm liquids. Don’t drink anything that is too hot or cold. Gargling with salt water is a great way to feel better. You can also get some cough drops or anything that can soothe your sore throat. Tonsillitis is mostly preventable if you wash your hands properly and don’t touch your face after you have come in contact with anything shady- like an infected individual or a contaminated surface for example. There are a few complications that may occur if tonsillitis goes untreated and if you have too many such infections in a year (about 5-7 times), then you may be asked to get a tonsillectomy (a surgery where the tonsils are removed). But, surgery is not something that you should aim for.
