What should you know about bacterial tonsillitis causes?

Bacteria can reach the tonsils through droplets, saliva or contaminated hands and objects. Crowded indoor contact and sharing cups or cutlery can make spread easier. Strep throat is a recognised bacterial cause, while viruses remain another common reason for inflamed tonsils.

The resulting immune response causes swelling and irritation. This can lead to a sore throat, fever, painful swallowing, swollen glands, unpleasant breath or earache. These features describe what bacterial tonsillitis can present with; they do not prove that any single symptom has this cause.

Wash hands with soap, avoid sharing drinks and utensils, and cover coughs and sneezes. Rest, drink enough to keep urine a usual pale colour and choose soft foods if swallowing hurts. Do not smoke or expose the throat to avoidable irritants.

A GP can examine the throat and decide whether testing is worthwhile. If antibiotics are prescribed, use them as directed rather than taking someone else’s medicine or keeping doses for later.

Book an assessment when throat symptoms are severe, keep returning, make eating or drinking difficult or do not begin to settle. Urgent help is needed for breathing trouble, drooling, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly worsening swelling, a muffled voice or marked dehydration.

Ask which cause is most plausible from the examination, whether close contacts need advice, whether a throat test would help and which symptoms should bring you back for review.