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Conditions
Respiratory tract diseases
Respiratory tract infections
Strep throat
Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis

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An inflammation of the tonsils, which can be either acute or chronic, and is commonly caused by infection.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this

39 year experience in Internal Medicine

Is a type of:

Pharyngitis • Viral pharyngitis • Mouth disorders • Strep throat

How long it usually lasts:

Short-term (lasts days to weeks)

How common it is:

Common
Baby
0-2
Common
Preteen
6-13
Very common
Teenager
14-18
Very common
Young adult
19-40
Very common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Common

How it can usually be treated?

Can be cured with medical treatment

How is it usually diagnosed?

Requires diagnosis by a medical professional

Body locations

Mouth, Neck (front)

Symptoms

Bad breath
Fever
Headache
Abdominal pain
Neck pain
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Tonsillitis
Augmentin
4
4 reviews
Amoxicillin
3.3
9 reviews
Azithromycin
3
9 reviews
Erythromcyin
2.8
6 reviews
Ciprofloxacin
2.3
6 reviews
Load more

Procedures

Ratings show how effective doctors think these procedures are at treating Tonsillitis

Surgery

Removal of tonsils
4.4
14 reviews

Tests

Monospot
WBC count
Group A strep rapid test
Throat culture
Anti streptolysin O

Related questions

A member asked:

What causes tonsillitis?

3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Can tonsillitis be cured?

3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

How can I get tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A member asked:

Can you die from tonsillitis?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

How do you catch tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A female asked:

How long can tonsillitis last?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old female asked:

What is medicine for tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old asked:

Is tonsillitis a serious illness?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

How can I heal tonsillitis at home?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 19-year old asked:

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

9 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

In what way is tonsillitis diagnosed?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

How can you actually get tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

How much time can I have tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

Tonsillitis: how can I get this cured?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

Is tonsillitis a symptom or condition?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 41-year old female asked:

I have tonsillitis how do I treat them?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

How can you cure tonsillitis naturally?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 25-year old female asked:

Whats the best way to treat tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 23-year old asked:

What will you do if you have tonsillitis?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

Where can I get medicine for tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A member asked:

Can I die from tonsillitis if I ignore it?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

Can I catch tonsillitis from someone else?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

How to deal with my recurring tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old female asked:

How do you treat mild tonsillitis at home?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

Do symptoms like tonsillitis go away quickly?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old female asked:

What is tonsillitis and what are the symptoms?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Could getting your tonsillitis taken out hurt?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old male asked about a 16-year old female:

What is the best OTC medicine for tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

Hold old do you have to be to get tonsillitis?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

What can happen if you don't treat tonsillitis?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

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