context: At the back of your throat, two masses of tissue called tonsils act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection. They also produce antibodies to fight infection. But sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. Overwhelmed by bacteria or viruses, they swell and become inflamed, a condition known as tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. The condition can occur occasionally or recur frequently. Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Other common causes include: Adenoviruses Influenza virus Epstein- Barr virus Parainfluenza viruses Enteroviruses Herpes simplex virus The main symptoms of tonsillitis are inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, sometimes severe enough to block the airways. Other symptoms include: Throat pain or tenderness Redness of the tonsils A white or yellow coating on the tonsils Painful blisters or ulcers on the throat Headache Loss of appetite Ear pain Difficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouth Swollen glands in the neck or jaw area Fever, chills Bad breath In children, symptoms may also include: Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause, your doctor may perform a rapid strep test or throat swab culture. Both tests involve gently swabbing the back of the throat close to the tonsils with a cotton swab. A lab test can detect a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria is negative. In some cases, the physical findings are convincing enough to diagnose a probable bacterial infection. In these cases, antibiotics may be prescribed without performing a rapid strep test If tests reveal bacteria, treatment will consist of antibiotics to cure the infection. Antibiotics may be given as a single shot or taken 10 days by mouth. Although symptoms will likely improve within two or three days after starting the antibiotic, it's important to take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to make sure the bacteria are gone. Some people need to take a second course of antibiotics to cure the infection. If the tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work and your body will fight off the infection on its own. In the meantime, there are things you can do to feel better, regardless of the cause. They include: Get enough rest Drink warm or very cold fluids to ease throat pain Eat smooth foods, such as flavored gelatins, ice cream, or applesauce Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your room Gargle with warm salt water Suck on lozenges containing benzocaine or other anesthetics Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Tonsils are an important part of the immune system throughout life, so it is best to avoid removing them. However, if tonsillitis is recurrent or persistent, or if enlarged tonsils cause upper airway obstruction or difficulty eating, surgical removal of the tonsils, called tonsillectomy, may be necessary. Most tonsillectomies involve using a conventional scalpel to remove the tonsils; however there are many alternatives to this traditional method. Increasingly doctors are using techniques such as lasers, radio waves, ultrasonic energy, or electrocautery to cut, burn, or evaporate away enlarged tonsils. As with all surgeries, each of these has benefits and drawbacks. When considering the procedure, it's important to discuss your options with the surgeon to select the most appropriate one for your child. Tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia and typically lasting between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. It is most commonly performed in children. Most children go home about four hours after surgery and require a week to 10 days to recover from it. Almost all children will have throat pain, ranging from mild to severe, after surgery. Some may experience pain in the ears, jaw, and neck. Your child's doctor will prescribe or recommend medication to ease the pain. During the recovery period, it's important for your child to get enough rest. It's also important to make sure your child gets plenty of fluids; however, you should avoid giving your child milk products for the first 24 hours after surgery. Although throat pain may make your child reluctant to eat, the sooner your child eats, the sooner he or she will recover. For several days after surgery, your child may experience a low-grade fever and small specks of blood from the nose or saliva. If the fever is greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit or if you see bright red blood, call your child's doctor right away. Prompt medical attention may be necessary.