by Kate Johns

Created on: June 19, 2009

Tonsillitis is an illness that affects the tonsils. Several different viruses can cause tonsillitis. Depending on the severity of the tonsillitis, home treatment and over the counter medications can help. It may be necessary to seek medical care if the tonsils are very large and swallowing has become difficult. When tonsillitis isn't properly taken care of, the original illness can take on severe ramifications and end up harming a person's heart or kidneys with scarlet fever developing. .

Tonsillitis is an illness that is easily caught by children because it can be easily spread. With children being at school or day care, illnesses can spread easily through coughing; sneezing and germs being found on commonly used surfaces. Adults can also acquire tonsillitis. Young adults can acquire mononucleosis due to the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes the tonsils to become swollen, red and inflamed.

Tonsillitis is caused by either a bacterial infection or from a virus. When bacteria cause tonsillitis, taking antibiotics can help a person. The bacteria streptococcus that causes strep throat can also cause tonsillitis. In this case, an antibiotic prescribed by a health care professional should aid the sick person.

When a person has a viral infection that caused the tonsils to become inflamed, antibiotics will not help. That is because it is a virus that needs to go through its cycle until a person starts to feel better again. That is why a health care professional will not prescribe antibiotics and will recommend home treatment and over the counter medications for the patient.

Tonsillitis can develop into acute tonsillitis when the original causes for the illness are not properly taken care of. This means that one virus or several viruses invaded the body and were never properly dealt with. Tonsillitis can also develop into scarlet fever that can mean problems for the heart and the liver.

Tonsillitis that is caused by a virus or a bacteria is characterized by having enlarged, swollen, red tonsils. The tonsils may have white or yellow pus on them. A person may have a low-grade fever, feel chilled, and then hot. The lymph nodes in the neck may become enlarged also, and will feel swollen to the expert touch of a health care professional.

A person who has tonsillitis should seek medical attention when he has a fever above 103 degrees. When a person has a very sore throat that lasts for more than 48 hours, has vomiting, or has a stiff neck and feels weak a doctor should be called. When a person has a problem swallowing due to the enlargement of the tonsils may also indicate the need to contact a health care professional.

Remember there are two causes of tonsillitis; either from a bacteria or from a virus. A virus can be treated with over the counter remedies and home care. When it is a bacterial infection a health care professional should prescribe a course of antibiotic treatment for the sick person. When the tonsils repeatedly become infected, red and swollen then a tonsillectomy may have to be performed by a doctor so that serious complications do not arise.

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