Understanding tonsilitis

Tonsils are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the throat functioning as defense mechanisms against infection. When the tonsils become infected, the condition is called tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis can occur at any age and is a common childhood infection, most often diganosed in children from preschool age through their midteens. Common symptoms are sore throat, swollen tonsils and fever. Other manifestations of tonsillitis are painful swallowing, hoarse voice, bad breath, chills, earache, stomachache, headache, stiff neck, tender jaw and neck and white or yellow spots in tonsils. Symptoms usually go away within seven to 10 days.