Because they are located in the upper airway near the back of the mouth, tonsils and adenoids are constantly exposed to bacteria and viruses and may become infected. Infection may cause the tonsils to swell and become inflamed, resulting in tonsillitis. There are several conditions related to of tonsillitis, including acute tonsillitis, recurrent tonsillitis, and chronic tonsillitis.

• Acute tonsillitis: This condition is characterized by a sudden sore throat, difficult or painful swallowing, tender lymph nodes in the jaw and neck, and, occasional airway obstruction.
• Recurrent tonsillitis: This condition is characterized by repeated episodes of acute tonsillitis over a period of time.
• Chronic tonsillitis: Patients with this condition have continual and persistently inflamed tonsils.

Recurrent tonsillitis is a common reason for tonsillectomy if the episodes of tonsillitis are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's quality of life or interfere with schoolwork. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tonsillitis is considered recurrent if there are seven episodes in one year, five episodes per year for two consecutive years or three episodes per year for three consecutive years. In severe cases of recurring tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be recommended.

What to look for

Among the common signs of tonsillitis are an extremely sore throat, swollen or sore lymph nodes under the jaw near the neck, and bright red, swollen tonsils with a white or yellowish spots on their surface. These signs are easy to check at home with a simple inspection.

If the tonsils are red or swollen, call your doctor for an examination. A sore throat is not always a sign of tonsillitis. Other conditions can also cause a sore throat.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will usually make the diagnosis after examining the throat and looking for signs and symptoms of tonsillitis. He or she will ask about the symptoms and examine the neck, mouth, and throat and may take a culture sample to test for strep throat or other bacterial infections.