Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils, which are small glands located at the back of your throat. The function of these glands is not entirely clear but research indicates that they help to fight infections.

Both viruses and bacteria may cause tonsillitis. In general, young children tend to get viral tonsillitis, and older children and adults get bacterial infections.

Tonsillitis can spread from person to person through throat or nasal fluids - this includes saliva, hand contact or airborne droplets. The incubation period (the period between picking up the infection and symptoms starting to appear) is usually between two and four days.

• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Complications
• Treatment
• Causes
• Prevention
• References

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