Tonsillitis is an inflammatory condition of the tonsils that is caused by a virus or bacteria, according to the Kids Health website. It consists of swollen and red tonsils that have a yellow coating around them. This condition usually begins with a sore throat and/or difficulty swallowing. While complications from a tonsillitis infection are rare, inflamed tonsils can block airways causing secondary infections such as strep throat and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Treatment generally consists of antibiotics, but in chronic cases, surgery may be needed to remove the infected tonsils.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
People with a tonsillitis infection may develop a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when airflow is temporarily blocked by something in the airway, according to the website Science Daily. A person with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing several times during the night, unaware that she is having trouble breathing. This condition occurs in people with tonsillitis when swollen and inflamed tonsils prevent air from constantly flowing in and out of the lungs during the night.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a complication of a tonsillitis infection that arises when bacteria enters the body and infects the tissue surrounding the tonsils, according to MayoClinic.com. Strep throat occurs when the bacteria group A streptococci infects the body through the nose or mouth causing an itchy and sore throat. Patients with tonsillitis may develop strep throat when the group A streptococci bacteria infects the tissue behind the throat causing itchy, irritated and inflamed tonsils.
Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
Patients with a tonsillitis infection can develop a condition called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory kidney infection that originates in the skin or throat and is caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This infection inflames the blood vessels in the kidneys and prevents them from properly removing excess waste and fluid from the body. Patients with tonsillitis may develop this condition when the infection spreads from the tonsils to the kidneys.
