Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the glands of the throat. It is mostly caused by viruses, and, in 10 to 30 % of cases, by bacteria. The tonsils are two glands located in the back of the throat that help to protect the body from upper respiratory infections. In Europe, the prevalence in community studies is estimated to 2-4 % (20 000 – 40 000 individuals per million population).
Tonsillitis is mainly transmitted from one person to another by social contact, by droplets in the air from sneezing. The symptoms of tonsillitis are essentially fever, sore throat, pain when swallowing, headache. In some cases, complications are possible, they include cervical adenitis and tonsil abscess.
Different treatments exist to reduce tonsillitis symptoms :
- Use of paracetamol / ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, corticosteroids).
- When tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, use of antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin.
| Main pathogens involved in Tonsillitis | |
| Viruses | Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Influenza, Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It can also be caused by Epstein-Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, or HIV. |
| Bacteria | Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcal pharyngitis, Staphylococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Pertussis, Fusobacterium, Diphtheria, Syphilis and Gonorrhea. |
The most common pathogens responsible for Tonsillitis