Tonsillitis
Alternate Names : Acute Tonsillitis, Subacute Tonsillitis, Chronic Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation or infection of the
tonsils.
What is going on in the body?
The body has two sets, or pairs, of tonsils. The palatine tonsils can be seen
at the back of the throat. The lingual tonsils are at the back of the tongue
and cannot be seen by looking in the mouth. Tonsillitis usually means the
inflammation or infection of the palatine tonsils. But sometimes the infection
can involve the lingual tonsils and lymph nodes in the back of the throat.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Common causes of acute tonsillitis may include:
bacteria, such as streptoccal or hemophilus bacteria
viruses such as adenovirus or Epstein-Barr virus, which also causes mononucleosis
diphtheria, a serious disease that produces a false membrane in the
throat. Diphtheria can be prevented by the
DPT vaccine.Subacute tonsillitis is most commonly caused by actinomyces, a normal mouth
bacterium that can cause infection. In chronic tonsillitis, there is a
long-standing infection that is almost always bacterial.
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