Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that causes swelling and pin. Tonsillitis occurs regularly during childhood but can continue into adulthood, occurring less frequently. Tonsillitis is typically treated with over-the-counter medications or antibiotics. In previous years, reoccurring episodes of tonsillitis would lead to the tonsils being removed. Now tonsil removal is rarely necessary because the cause can be identified earlier and treated directly. Tonsil removal is only necessary if you are experiencing multiple, frequent episodes of tonsillitis that are not responding to treatment and a cause cannot be identified.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis, more commonly known as "mono" or "the kissing disease" is one known cause of tonsillitis. Mono is a virus that infects the body, namely the salivary glands. Therefore, mono is transmitted through saliva. Kissing or in some cases being exposed to sneeze or cough from an infected person can spread the virus. The contagious organisms of mono are transmitted through saliva, therefore your tonsils become infected after contact.
Bacterial Infection
Similar to mono, tonsillitis can be caused by a bacterial infection such as streptococci, commonly known as strep throat. Streptococci is a bacteria that is germane to infecting your throat. Therefore the tonsils are always at risk if you contract strep throat. Symptoms of a bacterial infection include a sudden onset of pain, tender lymph nodes or a high fever. Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, which subsequently clear up the tonsillitis.
Abundance of Bacteria
The tonsils are designed to catch and filter out bacteria and viruses. In some cases, after being exposed to a virus, your body contains more bacteria than you tonsils can handle. The result of this abundance is tonsillitis. Your body will automatically try to fight off a virus, so the length of tonsillitis due to the tonsils being overwhelmed is often shorter. Your tonsillitis will start to clear up as soon as the tonsils are able to process the bacteria properly.
