Tonsilitis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]}
Overview
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever.
Classification
There are 3 main types of tonsillitis: acute, subacute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis can either be bacterial or viral (75%) in origin. Subacute tonsillitis (which can last between 3 weeks and 3 months) is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces. Chronic tonsillitis, which can last for long periods if not treated, is almost always bacterial.
Pathophysiology
Tonsillitis is associated with infection, it is currently unknown if the swelling and other symptoms are caused by the infectious agents themselves, or by the host immune response to these agents. Tonsillitis may be a result of aberrant immune responses to the normal bacterial flora of the nasopharynx.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Tonsillitis is characterized by signs of red, swollen tonsils which may have a purulent exudative coating of white patches (i.e. pus). In addition, there may be enlarged and tender neck cervical lymph nodes.