To know if you have tonsillitis, watch for these common signs and symptoms:
- A sore throat, often sudden in onset
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white or yellow spots or coating
- Fever and chills
- Swollen, tender glands in your neck
- Headache and ear pain
- Muffled or scratchy voice
- Bad breath
You might also feel generally unwell, have a stiff neck, or develop blisters or ulcers in your throat. In some cases, the tonsils may become so swollen that breathing through the mouth is difficult. Diagnosis typically involves a healthcare provider examining your throat for redness, swelling, pus, or white patches on the tonsils and checking for swollen lymph nodes. They may also take a throat swab to determine if bacteria like strep are causing the infection or run blood tests if needed. Tonsillitis symptoms usually last a few days and can be caused by viruses or bacteria, with bacterial tonsillitis requiring antibiotic treatment. If symptoms are severe, persist more than a week, or breathing/swallowing becomes very difficult, it is important to see a doctor promptly. In summary, having a sudden sore throat with swollen, red tonsils (with or without white spots), difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen neck glands strongly suggests tonsillitis.
