Understanding Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes & Effects

Tonsillitis causes a sore throat, swollen or painful lymph nodes and fever. The type and severity of the tonsillitis effects on a person depends on what type of tonsillitis they have.

identification

• Tonsillitis is a condition which causes inflammation and irritation of the tonsils as a result of a bacterial or viral infection.

Effects of Acute Tonsillitis

• Acute tonsillitis causes symptoms which occur rapidly and progress in severity in a short amount of time and include sore throat that quickly worsens, fever, difficulty swallowing and swollen or sore lymph nodes.

Effects of Sub-acute Tonsillitis

• Sub-acute tonsillitis causes symptoms which last three weeks to three months and include mild to moderate sore throat, a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, slightly swollen or tender lymph nodes and thick smelly material on the tonsils.

Effects of Chronic Tonsillitis

• Chronic tonsillitis causes long lasting effects which include periodic sore throat, slightly enlarged---but not tender---lymph nodes, slightly inflamed tonsils and scarring of the tonsils.

When to See a Doctor

• You must see a doctor if you experience symptoms which include inability to swallow, vomiting, abdominal pain, stiff neck, a fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit and/or a sore throat which lasts more than two days.