Define tonsillitis

What Is Tonsillitis? Tonsillitis (tahn-suh-LYE-tus) is an What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Tonsillitis? Inflamed tonsils look red and swollen, and may be covered with a yellow or whitish coating or spots. A child with tonsillitis may have: • a sore throat • • bad breath • swollen lymph nodes(sometimes called swollen “glands”) in the neck • trouble swallowing • • What Causes Tonsillitis? Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virussuch as: • • • Epstein-Barr virus ( Bacteria also can cause it, most commonly Anyone at any age can get tonsillitis, but it's more common in kids than adults. Strep throat is most common in kids and teens 5–15 years old. How Is Tonsillitis Diagnosed? Doctors will ask about symptoms and do an exam. They'll check the inside of the mouth, the back of the throat, and the neck. A health care provider may use a soft cotton swab to gently collect a sample from the tonsils and back of the throat. This can be: • tested quickly with a • sent to a lab for a If the rapid strep test doesn't show signs of strep, the health care provider will depend on the culture for a final diagnosis. It's important to call your health care provider if your child has tonsillitis symptoms. How Is Tonsillitis Treated? Treatment depends on whether the tonsillitis is caused by: • a virus, in which case the body will fight the infection on its own • bacteria, in which case the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Help your child take the antibiotic exactly as directed. This helps sympt...