Studies also show that the tonsils produce antibodies or cells that fight disease. The causes As mentioned earlier, tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils get inflamed. Either bacteria or viruses can cause this inflammation. Younger children tend to be afflicted by viral tonsillitis, while older children and adults are more prone to bacterial infection. Tonsillitis can also sometimes be an offshoot of more serious illnesses like diphtheria, scarlet fever and infectious mononucleosis.
Some children seem to be more prone to developing tonsillitis than others.
They may have tonsillitis attacks as often as five or six times a year. Recurring tonsillitis may result in the enlargement of the tonsils, a condition labelled as chronic tonsillitis. In such a case, the tonsils remain infected despite antibiotic treatment. The tonsils can also trap food particles in small infoldings called crypts, which only results in prolonging the infection. The treatment comprises a combination of steps to relieve the symptoms and medication to attack the cause.