Tonsil infection

Share on Pinterest If you suddenly see white spots on your tonsils, you might be concerned. However, in many cases, you can easily treat the underlying cause and avoid surgical removal of the tonsils. Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of white spots on the tonsils, as well as treatment options and more. White discoloration may appear only on the tonsils or it may appear around the tonsils and throughout the mouth. The discoloration may look like streaks in the back of the throat or blotches on or around the tonsils. In addition to the white spots, your tonsils may feel scratchy and you might find it Other symptoms that often accompany white spots on the tonsils include: • • • • • • throat discomfort • • • • • Sometimes, you may also have White spots on the tonsils often occur due to an infection in the throat. Whiteness in your throat can have several possible causes. Infectious mononucleosis The Epstein-Barr virus causes People who develop mono will frequently experience white patches of pus around the tonsils. Other symptoms include: • flu-like symptoms • headaches • fevers • • swollen lymph nodes • Also, if Strep throat Streptococcus pyogenes causes it. It’s most common in children, but it frequently occurs in teenagers and adults as well. It causes white streaks or spots in the throat. Other symptoms of strep throat include: • • fatigue • inflammation and swelling of the throat • difficulty swallowing • a fever • a headache • flu-like symptoms The ba...

Jump to: • • • • Your tonsils (you know, those two blobs of tissue at the back of your throat) are there for you through every cough, sneeze, and sniffle, battening down the hatches every time an infection tries to invade your body. But every so often, swollen tonsils happen, and you might find yourself wondering how to return the favor. Swollen tonsils—better known as tonsillitis—aren’t as common in adults as they are children, but they do happen. “There are many causes of tonsil swelling,” says Knowing when to ride it out and when to see a doctor can be tricky, but there are a few things to keep in mind: “Tonsil swelling that comes and goes or resolves is generally less worrisome than swelling that persists or gets worse over time,” says Dr. Zalvan. Related Stories • Why Your Allergy Symptoms Get Worse During Fall • Genius Home Remedies to Soothe a Sore Throat ASAP It’s also important to take note of other symptoms that are happening at the same time, such as a As for what might be causing your tonsils to inflate? It could be a number of things. Here, doctors reveal potential causes of swollen tonsils that adults can experience, and exactly what to do about them. 1. You’re fighting a virus. Viral tonsil infections are very common, says Clare Morrison, M.D., general practitioner and medical advisor at When tonsillitis is caused by a virus, it’ll usually go away once your body’s fought off the infection (on average, OlegMalyshev // Getty Images 2. Strep throat is lurking. ...

Your tonsils are the two lumps of lymphoid tissue located in the back of your throat that function as part of your immune system to keep germs and other foreign particles from slipping down your throat. ( Still, there can be complications from tonsillitis that require medical attention. And, rarely, there are cases in which a life-threatening illness can have some of the same symptoms as tonsillitis. If you have tonsillitis that doesn’t get better on its own with The most notable risk of tonsillitis is that it can cause you to get sicker and sicker, says RELATED: If bacterial infections do not go away on their own, they can continue to worsen and spread throughout the body. The risks of this are incredibly low, but it’s why you should see your doctor if tonsillitis does not clear up on its own in a week, Dr. Clark adds. Here are a few other complications that can result from tonsillitis. Note that they are more common in people who have tonsillitis repeatedly or if it becomes chronic. RELATED: “During an infection when tonsils are swollen, it can cause temporary sleep apnea,” Clark says. This complication can happen to both children and adults, Clark says. And particularly in children, removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be recommended to cure the sleep apnea, which might otherwise turn into a chronic problem. Another complication is that a tonsil infection can develop into a secondary infection of the middle ear. The tonsils that are visible behind your tongue when y...

Share on Pinterest Some illnesses and conditions cause soreness on only one side of the throat. The body’s lymph nodes act as filters, helping to identify and trap germs, such as viruses and bacteria, before they can infect other areas. As they do this, the lymph nodes may swell up and become sore. The lymph nodes closest to the throat are on either side of the neck. These nodes can cause a feeling of soreness when they become swollen or inflamed. Many illnesses and infections lead to swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes only one node in the area is sore, which can cause a sore throat on one side. Some conditions that may lead to swollen lymph nodes include: • a cold or • • an ear infection • an infected tooth, or • mononucleosis, sometimes called “mono” • infections in the skin • • Many common viral illnesses, such as a cold or flu, can cause a sore throat. In these cases, the throat may only be sore on one side. When the nose is congested, mucus and fluid drain down the back of the throat. This is known as postnasal drip. Continual drainage can irritate the throat, leading to a feeling of soreness or scratchiness. A specific part of the throat may become more irritated by drainage. It may feel like one side is raw and inflamed. Share on Pinterest A peritonsillar abscess requires immediate medical attention. An abscess is a contained, pus-filled lump within tissue. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues near the tonsils, usua...

Tonsillitis, or inflammation of the tonsils, makes up approximately 0.4% of outpatient visits in the United States. Tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection in 70% to 95% of cases. However, bacterial infections caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus ( Streptococcus pyogenes) account for tonsillitis in 5% to 15% of adults and 15% to 30% of patients five to 15 years of age. It is important to differentiate group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus from other bacterial or viral causes of pharyngitis and tonsillitis because of the risk of progression to more systemic complications such as abscess, acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, and scarlet fever after infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. A variety of diagnostic tools are available, including symptom-based validated scoring systems (e.g., Centor score), and oropharyngeal and serum laboratory testing. Treatment is focused on supportive care, and if group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is identified, penicillin should be used as the first-line antibiotic. In cases of recurrent tonsillitis, watchful waiting is strongly recommended if there have been less than seven episodes in the past year, less than five episodes per year for the past two years, or less than three episodes per year for the past three years. Tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones, are managed expectantly, and small tonsilloliths are common clinical findings. Rarely, surgical intervention is required if they become too large to pass on th...

A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues of the throat next to one of the tonsils. An abscess is a collection of pus that forms near an area of infected skin or other soft tissue. The abscess can cause pain, swelling, and, if severe, blockage of the throat. If the throat is blocked, swallowing, speaking, and even breathing become difficult. When an infection of the tonsils (known as tonsillitis) spreads and causes infection in the soft tissues, a peritonsillar abscess may result. Peritonsillar abscesses are generally uncommon. When they do occur they are more likely among young adults, adolescents, and older children. Causes of a Peritonsillar Abscess A peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis. The bacteria involved are similar to those that cause Streptococcal bacteria most commonly cause an infection in the soft tissue around the tonsils (usually just on one side). The tissue is then invaded by anaerobes (bacteria that can live without oxygen), which enter through nearby glands. Dental infection (such as the gum infections periodontitis and • Chronic tonsillitis • Infectious mononucleosis • Smoking • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) • Stones or calcium deposits in the tonsils ( Symptoms of a Peritonsillar Abscess The first symptom of a • The mouth and throat may show a swollen area of inflammation -- typically on one side. • The uvula (the small finger of tissue that hangs down in the middle of the throat) may be shoved away from the swolle...

Image Source © 2015 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. The The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, which helps to fight infections. However, removal of the tonsils does not seem to increase susceptibility to infection. Tonsils vary widely in size and swell in response to infection. Tonsil Conditions • • • • • Streptococcus, a bacterium, infects the tonsils and throat. Fever and • Enlarged (hypertrophic) tonsils: Large tonsils reduce the size of the airway, making • Tonsil Tests • Streptococcus. • • Tonsil Treatments • • •