Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact us
    • Disclaimer
    • About Us
    • Nutrition / Diet
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • All categories
    Home»Ear, Nose and Throat»What causes swollen tonsils?

    What causes swollen tonsils?

    Chukwuebuka MartinsBy Chukwuebuka MartinsAugust 22, 2020Updated:August 22, 2020No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit WhatsApp Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email

    Viral and bacterial infections can cause swollen tonsils, such as tonsilitis and strep throat. Most infections go away on their own but serious bacterial infections can need to be treated with antibiotics.

    Within this article we address the common causes of enlarged tonsils and their care. They explain when to see a physician, too.

    Swollen tonsils pictures

    • 1. Strep throat
      Strep throat is a form of tonsillitis caused by bacteria. It can look similar to viral tonsillitis.
    • 2. Acute tonsillitis
      This is inflammation of the tonsils, and it causes redness, swelling, and pus.
    • 3. Koplik’s spots from measles
      These lesions in the mouth, pictured here, can also appear on the tonsils.

    Causes

    Some viral and bacterial infections can cause swollen tonsils. Including:

    Acute tonsilitis

    Viruses and bacteria can invade the tonsils, causing swelling and exudation — a gray covering that covers the tonsils. Many signs can include headache , fever, tiredness, weak breath, and lack of appetite. When only one tonsil is contaminated, a person can experience swelling only on one side of the throat.

    People may be taking antibiotics to treat serious infections with bacterial tonsilitis. Nonetheless, a doctor may prescribe surgery to remove the tonsils if they develop tonsillitis more than five times a year.

    Over-the-counter ( OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve symptoms, including headache, sore throat and fever, until the infection is gone.

    Strep throat

    Streptococcus pyogenes can infect the throat and cause inflammation and swelling of the tonsils. Some people may have other effects, such as headaches and stomach pain, too.

    Doctors treat serious cases of strep throat with antibiotics — usually penicillin or amoxicillin — but people who are resistant to such antibiotics will get alternative therapies.

    Viruses may also cause strep throat with very different associated symptoms, including cough, runny nose and ulcers in the mouth.

    Adenoviruses

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that many types of adenoviruses, including colds, pneumonia and bronchitis, cause respiratory infections.

    Adenoviruses may also cause chronic tonsil infections in people with a compromised immune system, although symptoms do not always appear in such infections. Because most adenoviruses are mild, people usually don’t need medication, and the virus will go away on its own.

    Epstein-Barr virus

    The signs of an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, such as mononucleosis, include swollen tonsils, cough, weakness and skin rashes. Adults and adolescents typically recover within 2–4 weeks, although symptoms such as fatigue can continue for several weeks or months in some instances.

    There is no Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine. Nevertheless, because the virus can spread through the exchange of body fluids, particularly saliva, it can also be prevented by people keeping a distance from people who have the virus and not sharing toothbrushes and drinks.

    When a person has the virus it will stay in an inactive state in the body but can reactivate throughout their life at certain times.

    Influenza

    Flu may cause swollen tonsils and other symptoms, such as cough, a sore throat, body aches and, in some cases, fever. The symptoms may unexpectedly come on. Flu complications can include pneumonia, so if their symptoms do not improve after a week, it is important that people get in contact with their doctor.

    Measles

    The measles virus can cause swollen tonsils on the inside of the mouth, high fever , cough, and small white spots, typically 2–3 days after symptoms start.

    Other symptoms include facial rash and upper neck rash. Children who did not have a measles vaccine are at greatest risk of catching it and developing complications. When a parent or caregiver believes their child has measles, they should talk to a doctor at the earliest opportunity.

    Complications

    A tonsil infection — for instance, acute tonsilitis — may have severe complications. Therefore it is important to urgently contact a doctor for symptoms that include:

    • difficulty speaking and swallowing
    • trouble breathing
    • an inability to open the mouth
    • a severe and worsening sore throat

    Are swollen tonsils a symptom of cancer?

    Swollen tonsils can in rare cases be a symptom of cancer. Oropharyngeal cancers are the ones found in the head and neck.

    Cancerous lumps on the tonsils do not have fever but cancer-related symptoms include:

    • a sore throat
    • difficulty swallowing, chewing, or breathing
    • earache
    • unexplained weight loss
    • a lump in the neck or throat

    Cancer, however, is a fairly rare cause of swollen tonsils. About 53,260 people in the United States will develop oral or oropharyngeal cancer by 2020, according to the American Cancer Society.

    Why do tonsils get infected?

    The tonsils are masses of soft tissue at the back of the throat, and are exposed to germs that enter the mouth. They have the job of filtering out pathogens before they get into the body.

    The high exposure to germs from outside the body presents an elevated risk of infection for the tonsils.

    Treatment

    Swollen tonsils treatment will depend on cause.

    Usually a doctor will prescribe antibiotics for severe bacterial infections. Viral diseases are more difficult to treat. Some antiviral drugs can function but their efficacy will depend on the infection type and severity.

    Viral infections can get better themselves in most cases. OTC drugs might help relieve other accompanying symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and fever.

    A doctor may prescribe removal of the tonsils for recurrent tonsil infections, usually more than five a year.

    Home remedies

    People can try using home remedies to ease the symptoms. These include:

    • drinking cold drinks or sucking on ice cubes
    • staying hydrated
    • resting
    • gargling warm salt water
    • sucking on lozenges
    • avoiding smoking and limiting exposure to other substances that irritate the throat
    • using a humidifier to keep the air moist
    • breathing in steam from hot water

    When to see a doctor
    After a few days, most cases of swollen tonsils will go away all by themselves. OTC medications and home remedies can help relieve some of the symptoms.

    If the swollen tonsils worsen or don’t get better after a few days, a person should see a doctor. If the patient is unable to breathe, emergency medical treatment is necessary.

    Outlook

    Swollen tonsils are typically the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Depending on the cause of the infection a person can expect to recover to several weeks within a few days.

    Many individuals can experience tonsil infections and swelling on a regular basis. For such cases a doctor might recommend that the tonsils be removed.

    Prevention

    Preventing swollen tonsils isn’t always easy, but some measures to lower the risk of infection include:

    • maintaining good personal hygiene
    • avoiding close contact with people who are sick
    • avoiding smoking
    • washing the hands regularly
    • staying up to date with any vaccinations that a doctor recommends

    Summary

    The primary causes of swollen tonsils are bacteria and viruses, but in some cases swollen tonsils can be a sign of cancer.

    Tonsil infections usually go away after a couple of days, and OTC medications and home remedies can help alleviate some of the symptoms.

    Doctors may consider treating more serious antibiotic or antiviral infections.

    Related Posts

    Does Bactrim Treat Tooth Infections?

    September 18, 2023

    Why does fingering hurt?

    September 16, 2023

    Calculus Bridge Causes: Treatments, Side Effects and Overview

    September 13, 2023

    Comments are closed.

    Latest Posts

    Medicare for Seniors: Navigating Healthcare in Your Golden Years

    September 22, 2023

    How Long After Gas-x Can You Drink Alcohol?

    September 19, 2023

    Can I Eat Bananas With Ciprofloxacin?

    September 18, 2023

    Does Bactrim Treat Tooth Infections?

    September 18, 2023

    Does Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream Lighten Skin ?

    September 18, 2023
    About Us
    About Us

    NCCMED serves as a reliable online health and fitness magazine, offering Nigerians essential information to support their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. This platform acts as a valuable resource, equipping individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their well-being.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    Top Insights

    What dairy milk alternatives are there?

    March 22, 2021

    Top 10 Health Blogs of 2022-2023

    December 8, 2022

    Stomach ulcers: What you need to know

    March 19, 2020

    Subscribe to Updates

    Stay informed about the latest changes in medical science and learn about new developments in the health field.

    © 2023 NccMed.Com.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact us
    • Disclaimer
    • About Us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.