Swollen tonsils usually look bigger, redder, and feel more painful than usual, and they often come with other symptoms like sore throat, trouble swallowing, or fever. The only way to be sure what is causing it (viral, strep, etc.) is to be examined by a healthcare professional if symptoms are significant or not improving.
What swollen tonsils look and feel like
- When you open your mouth wide in a mirror, the tonsils (the two lumps at the back of your throat) look enlarged, red, and puffy rather than small and flat.
- You may see white or yellow spots, patches, or coating on the tonsils, which often suggests infection like tonsillitis or strep throat.
- The back of the throat may look inflamed and your voice can sound scratchy, muffled, or “thick.”
Common symptoms that go with it
Swollen tonsils rarely happen alone; they usually come with other symptoms such as:
- Sore throat and pain when swallowing, sometimes making it hard to eat or drink.
- Fever, chills, feeling very tired, headache, or body aches.
- Swollen, tender lumps in the sides of your neck (swollen lymph nodes) and possibly bad breath.
When to seek urgent care
Contact a doctor or urgent care quickly if you notice:
- Very difficult or painful swallowing, drooling because swallowing hurts, trouble breathing, or noisy breathing.
- One tonsil much bigger than the other, severe throat pain on one side, or difficulty opening your mouth (could signal an abscess).
- Symptoms lasting more than a few days, a high fever, or if you suspect strep throat (especially if there is sudden severe sore throat with fever and no cough).
Simple checks and home steps
- Use a flashlight and mirror (or have someone you trust look) to see if the tonsils are enlarged, red, or spotty compared with how your throat usually looks when you feel well.
- Stay hydrated, use warm drinks or cold treats to soothe the throat, and consider over‑the‑counter pain or fever relievers if you can take them safely; these help symptoms but do not replace medical evaluation if you are very unwell.
If you describe what your throat looks like and what symptoms you have (fever, pain level, how long it’s been going on), more tailored guidance can be given, but any trouble breathing, swallowing, or very severe pain should be treated as urgent.
