If tonsillitis is getting worse, you'll notice severe symptoms like drooling, muffled voice, inability to open your mouth, difficulty breathing or swallowing saliva, increased neck swelling, or pain that's worse on one side, which can signal complications like a peritonsillar abscess or airway obstruction, requiring immediate medical attention (call 911/emergency services).
Sometimes the symptoms can be more severe and include:
If your child has tonsillitis, they may have some of the following symptoms:
How is tonsillitis treated?
There are many humidifier options, but cool-mist humidifiers tend to work best for people with tonsillitis. If you don't have a humidifier, try a hot shower instead – inhaling the warm steam can open up your airway so it's easier to breathe.
RED FLAGS:
Muffled speech. Torticollis (can occur in minor infections but potential sign of deep neck space infection) Severe respiratory distress. Haemodynamic instability / sepsis (may require urgent source control) or signs of toxic shock syndrome (shock, mucosal erythema, rash, GI symptoms)
If a virus is the suspected cause of tonsillitis, these strategies are the only treatment.
Common viruses most often cause tonsillitis. But bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus. This bacterium causes strep throat.
Big tonsils and adenoids are common—and often harmless. But if your child snores loudly, breathes mostly through the mouth, has restless sleep, or shows signs of sleep apnea, it's worth checking with your pediatrician or ENT. The right evaluation can help your child breathe easier, sleep better, and feel their best.
Hard foods
Inflamed tonsils make it difficult for children to chew and swallow. Therefore, dry, hard foods such as cereals, breads, cookies, dried vegetables, baked goods, popcorn, nuts (almonds, chestnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, ...)
Inhaled or intranasal steroids. These medicines may help children with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Staying away from secondhand smoke, indoor pollutants, and allergens. This is important for children who also have nasal congestion.
Quinsy, also known as a peritonsillar abscess, is a rare and potentially serious complication of tonsillitis. You should see your GP if you or your child have symptoms of quinsy.
A sore throat is the most common of all tonsillitis symptoms. You may also cough or sneeze, have high temperature (fever), headache, feel sick (nausea), feel tired, find swallowing painful, and have swollen lymph nodes in the neck . The tonsils may swell and become red. Pus may appear as white spots on the tonsils.
Your tonsils may swell and become red. Pus may appear as white spots on the tonsils. Symptoms typically get worse over two to three days and go away gradually. You should feel better within a week.
The Most Successful Treatments Include:
Antibiotics. If a bacterial infection is the cause of tonsillitis, your healthcare professional prescribes an antibiotic. Penicillin taken by mouth for 10 days is the most common antibiotic treatment prescribed for tonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus.
Hard and crunchy food
Food like chips, raw vegetables and nuts should also be strictly avoided as they can make tonsillitis more irritable and can dry up the area making you uncomfortable. Eating food that can go down easily will also be very helpful. It can get discomforting while swallowing any hard food.
Some sleep positions can lessen tonsillitis pain. Sleeping on your back with your head up can reduce throat swelling. You can use extra pillows or a wedge pillow for support. Elevating your head also stops mucus buildup in your throat.
For tonsillitis in pregnancy, prioritize rest, fluids, and home remedies like warm salt water gargles and soft foods, while Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) is preferred for pain/fever; avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen unless directed by a doctor. Bacterial tonsillitis requires doctor-prescribed antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin), but never self-medicate, as severe, untreated infections pose risks, but these safe antibiotics usually don't harm the baby. Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and safe treatment options to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Children aged 5 to 10 are most often affected, with another peak between ages 15 and 20. Tonsillitis can present with non-specific symptoms, particularly in younger children. They may present with only a fever, poor oral intake, headache, vomiting or even abdominal pain.
The terms sore throat, strep throat, and tonsillitis often are used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing.
If you notice dark urine, dizziness, or dry mouth, it's time for immediate care. Respiratory distress, marked by rapid breathing or wheezing, is another red flag. When tonsillitis starts to interfere with breathing or hydration, it's more than an inconvenience—it's a medical emergency.