Tonsillitis is often caused by the common cold. The virus starts with sniffles and a sore throat, but it can turn into a tonsil infection. Bacterial infections can cause tonsillitis, too, as well as other viral infections. (1) RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Cold and Flu Symptoms So how do you know if your cold or infection has affected your tonsils? Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for, in both adults and children.
Red, swollen tonsilsA white or yellow coating or spots on the tonsilsSore throatDifficult or painful swallowingFeverEnlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neckA scratchy, muffled, or throaty voiceBad breathAn altered sense of tasteStomachache, especially in younger childrenStiff neckHeadache
For very young children who may not be able to describe the symptoms they are experiencing, look for these characteristics:
FeverDrooling due to difficult or painful swallowingRefusal to eatUnusual fussiness
You can get tonsil stones without having tonsillitis — in fact, many people get tonsil stones very frequently. Tonsil stones are usually harmless, but in some rare cases, they can cause tonsillitis. (3) And that’s why you may notice those white spots and patches if you have tonsillitis. “You can have tonsillitis without actually having the presence of the stones and vice versa,” Dr. Clark says. Sometimes the retained food and debris lead to chronic halitosis (bad breath), he adds. The stones typically fall out by themselves, though some people scrape them out using a cotton swab, Clark says. RELATED: How to Safely Get Rid of Tonsil Stones When a person has a tonsil infection and there are stones, the stones are more likely to secrete pus, since that is part of the result of the tonsils swelling, according to Clark. You’ll get an accumulation of the dead immune cells that participated in fighting the infection, he says. It’s worth noting the possibility that someone may carry the bacteria that causes strep throat (and therefore test positive by a strep test), but they may not actually be infected with the bacteria or experience pain or other symptoms, Clark says. “They have strep within the tonsil tissue — but it’s not actively causing an infection; it’s just living there,” Clark says. Antibiotics, the typical treatment for tonsillitis caused by bacterial infections, are not recommended in these cases, however, unless someone is experiencing symptoms of tonsillitis. (4) RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Tonsillitis Diagnosis and Treatment Tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, such as Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, the same bacteria that causes strep throat), is highly contagious. People with strep spread the bacteria by coughing and sneezing, which sends tiny droplets through the air that contain the bacteria. The infection can then be spread by any of the following ways: (5)
Breathing in the dropletsTouching something that’s been contaminated with the droplets, then touching your mouth or noseDrinking or sharing food with a person who has strepTouching sores on the skin caused by group A strep (impetigo)
Bacterial and viral infections are passed from person to person in essentially the same ways. But sore throats are fairly common and can happen several times in a cold season. And it can be difficult to decide when it’s time to call your doctor. RELATED: Tips for Managing Tonsillitis at Home Clark suggests calling your care provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
Fever of at least 101 degrees F or 38.4 degrees CUnable to eat or drink anythingThe throat pain has not improved or has worsened three days after starting
And Clark adds that you should seek urgent care such as an emergency room if these symptoms are present:
Drooling much more than usualDifficulty breathing or swallowingStiff or swollen neckVoice change
RELATED: Complications That Can Result From Tonsillitis
