Does your tonsils have to be so big to touch to be considered tonsillitis ?

No: No, tonsils do not have to be big to be considered tonsillitis. New throat pain can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics are needed), a cold or influenza (antibiotics usually not used), or from some other cause such as allergies or irritants. Usually, a person sees the doctor if the sore throat is bothersome, recurrent, or doesn't go away quickly (mainly to check for strep throat).