Children's Hospital Colorado
Ear, Nose and Throat

Tonsillitis

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What is tonsillitis?

 

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue located in the back of the throat. If your child has swollen tonsils or inflamed tonsils, they may have infected tonsils, also known as tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is an infection that involves only the tonsils, but when the infection also involves the throat, it is called pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is commonly known as a sore throat.

What causes tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis may be caused by a virus. Over 90% of pharyngitis cases are caused by viral infections. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Strep bacteria cause the bacterial infection commonly known as strep throat.

Who gets tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is most common among children between the ages of preschool and adolescence.

Next steps

Get to know our pediatric experts.

Melissa Raines, CPNP-PC

Melissa Raines, CPNP-PC

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Gregory Allen, MD

Gregory Allen, MD

Otolaryngology

Norman Friedman, MD

Norman Friedman, MD

Otolaryngology, Sleep Medicine

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Patricia Yoon, MD

Patricia Yoon, MD

Otolaryngology