Tackling tonsillitis symptoms: remedies and treatment options

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is when your tonsils, the two lumps at the back of your throat, become inflamed and swollen, usually because of an infection. Chances are that you have probably experienced tonsillitis at some point in your life. It is very common in children, but adults can get it too. Tonsillitis can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection, and symptoms vary depending on the type of infection you have and how strong your immune system is in fighting off infection.

Discover top ways to boost your immune system

What is the difference between a viral and bacterial infection?

Bacteria and viruses are both microscopic organisms and invisible to the naked eye. Although they can cause similar symptoms and spread in similar ways, viral and bacterial infections differ significantly in other aspects. One of the main distinctions between the two is that viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, while bacterial infections do.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms capable of living independently, either inside or outside your body. Most bacteria are harmless, and many are beneficial to your health, such as those on your skin or in your gut that help you digest food and stay nourished and healthy.

Viruses, on the other hand, are smaller than bacteria. They require a host, such as a human body, to reproduce, meaning they are not capable of living independently. Viruses cause infections by invading and replicating within your body's healthy cells.

Most causes of tonsillitis are viral infections, such as the cold or flu. If you have bacterial tonsillitis, it is typically caused by a strain of bacteria called Group A Streptococcus (GAS), otherwise known as strep throat. The tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, but the infections that cause it are.

To avoid spreading the infections that cause tonsillitis, remember to wash your hands regularly, throw tissues away immediately after using them, and always sneeze or cough into tissues.

What are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis?

There are many symptoms of tonsillitis, and symptoms are similar across viral and bacterial infections. These include:

• A constantly sore throat
• White, pus-filled spots on your tonsils (more common with bacterial tonsillitis)
• Swollen, painful lymph glands in your neck
• Pain when swallowing
• Earache
• A headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Bad breath
• Loss of voice or voice changes

Symptoms of tonsillitis can vary significantly from person to person. They are impacted by many factors, including your age, the strength of your immune system, and the underlying cause of the infection. Some people might experience a high fever and a general feeling of disorientation with severe tonsillitis, while others might have much a much milder strain of infection and only experience a light discomfort in the throat.

Children sometimes experience abdominal pain, drooling, and severe difficulty eating with tonsillitis, whereas adults more often experience pronounced fatigue and body aches.

Symptoms usually go away on their own with rest after three to four days.

What are the white spots on your tonsils caused by tonsillitis?

When you have tonsillitis, you can develop white or yellowish spots on the surface of your tonsils. They often resemble small, round shaped patches that stand out against the red and swollen background of your inflamed tonsils. These spots can be clusters of pus-filled bacteria, with a slightly raised and textured look. You can also develop white spots on your tonsils with viral tonsillitis, but this is less common.

Managing tonsillitis symptoms with at-home remedies

To alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis at home and get better quickly, you can try several remedies.

Staying hydrated is crucial in regaining strength and protecting your immune system, so drink plenty of fluid to keep your throat moist and help flush out the infection. Warm beverages like tea with honey and clear broths can soothe a sore throat, while cold treats like ice pops can help reduce pain and swelling in your throat. Gargling with warm salt water several times a day can also provide relief and numbness from pain and inflammation, as can special throat sweets and sprays.

Another important remedy is rest. Don't overexert yourself when you have tonsillitis. Try to take time off work (or allow your child time off school), and rest as much as possible to give your body the opportunity to recover. You can go for a light walk if you feel up to it, but there is no harm in spending most of the time resetting in bed or on the sofa and fuelling your body with nutritious food and drink throughout.

You can combine these remedies with painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to experience maximum relief from symptoms and reduce the swelling and inflammation as much as possible.

If you are still struggling with symptoms after a few days of medication and at-home remedies, you will need to visit your doctor to determine whether you need antibiotics to fight off the infection.

The benefits of having your tonsils removed

A tonsillectomy, which is a procedure to have your tonsils removed, is recommended in children when they experience recurrent or chronic issues related to their tonsils, which is mostly tonsillitis. Adults can have the procedure too, although this is performed less often.

Everything you need to know about having a tonsillectomy as an adult

We categorise recurrent tonsillitis as seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in one year, five or more episodes per year for two consecutive years, and three or more episodes per year for three consecutive years. Persistent tonsillitis that does not respond to other treatment such as antibiotics, pain medication, and specialist throat sprays, can be treated with tonsillectomy.

Living with recurrent tonsillitis can be immensely challenging. It is painful and inconvenient, often forcing you to take regular time off work and interfering with your social life and overall ability to perform everyday activities when you are feeling poorly.

A tonsillectomy can improve your overall quality of life and protect you from getting tonsillitis in the future.

Read about the many benefits of having a tonsillectomy

Speak with a specialist about tonsillitis

If you are struggling to tackle symptoms of tonsillitis and need help with a healthcare professional, you can book an appointment online and speak with one of our specialists.

Clinical review and sources

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in June 2024. Next review due June 2027.

The NHS, strep A

National Institute of Heath, genetic terms and bacteria