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Why do people get tonsillitis?
Can bacterial infections cause tonsillitis?
What causes tonsillitis & strep throat?
Feb 20, 2024 · The most common symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat, but it’s difficult to tell whether the cause is a viral or bacterial infection by sight or symptoms alone. A doctor can order a throat ...
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Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the midteenage years. Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:
•Red, swollen tonsils
•White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
•Sore throat
•Difficult or painful swallowing
•Fever
It's important to get an accurate diagnosis if your child has symptoms that may indicate tonsillitis.
Call your doctor if your child is experiencing:
•A sore throat with fever
•A sore throat that doesn't go away within 24 to 48 hours
•Painful or difficult swallowing
•Extreme weakness, fatigue or fussiness
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Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause.
The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.
Risk factors for tonsillitis include:
•Young age. Tonsillitis most often affects children, and tonsillitis caused by bacteria is most common in children ages 5 to 15.
Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils from frequent or ongoing (chronic) tonsillitis can cause complications such as:
•Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
•Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)
•Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)
The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Therefore, the best prevention is to practice good hygiene. Teach your child to:
•Wash his or her hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating
•Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles or utensils
•Replace his or her toothbrush after being diagnosed with tonsillitis
To help your child prevent the spread of a bacterial or viral infection to others:
•Keep your child at home when he or she is ill
Oct 12, 2023 · Tonsillitis causes. Viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. But bacterial infections can cause it, too. Viral tonsillitis: Viruses like those that cause the common cold and the flu cause up to 70% of tonsillitis cases. Commonly, people with viral tonsillitis have milder symptoms than those with bacterial tonsillitis.
410-955-5000 Maryland. 855-695-4872 Outside of Maryland. +1-410-502-7683 International. Tonsillitis means that your tonsils are inflamed. Your tonsils are large, fleshy glands at the back of your throat. These glands make antibodies that help fight infection.
Apr 17, 2024 · Viral tonsillitis. Viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis. The viruses that cause the common cold are often the source of tonsillitis, but other viruses can also cause it, including ...
May 8, 2023 · Sometimes, viral tonsillitis caused by Epstein-Barr virus can occur with mononucleosis (or mono). If you develop mono, you may also have fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. In rare ...
