Nursery World - Common conditions - An essential guide to tonsillitis

How does tonsillitis affect children, what action should carers take, and what are the treatments? Meredith Jones Russell reports

Tonsillitis can be viral or bacterial, and antibiotics are only given to treat the latter

Tonsillitis is a common childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can get it too. It usually goes away on its own after three to four days. Tonsillitis is not contagious, but the infections that cause it, such as colds and flu, are.

To stop these infections spreading, stay off work or keep a child at home, use tissues when you cough or sneeze and throw them away afterwards, and wash your hands.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or flu. The tonsils at the back of the throat will be red and swollen.

The main symptoms in children and adults are:

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