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Tonsillitis - Overview

Definition of Tonsillitis:

Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.

See also:

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other germs to prevent infection in the body.

Strep throat is one cause of tonsilitis.

The tonsils may become so overwhelmed by a bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing tonsillitis. The infection may also be present in the throat and areas around it, causing inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and voicebox (larynx). See: Pharyngitis

Tonsillitis is very common, especially in children.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/12/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Wetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 380.

Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spinks A. Antibiotics for sore throat. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008:(3):CD000023.

Chan TV. The patient with sore throat. Med Clin North Am. 2010. 94:923-943.

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