Tonsillitis
Relief for sore throats, swollen tonsils, and repeat infections.
If your throat feels raw, it hurts to swallow, or you keep getting sick with the same symptoms over and over, you might be dealing with tonsillitis. This common condition happens when your tonsils — the small glands at the back of your throat — become infected or inflamed.
At Grand Rapids Ear, Nose & Throat, our board-certified ENTs (otolaryngologists) treat tonsillitis with compassion and care. Whether you’re managing the occasional sore throat or struggling with frequent infections that affect your daily life, we’ll help you find the right treatment — and long-term relief.
If you or your child is experiencing recurring throat infections, schedule an appointment today to find out what’s causing it and how we can help.
Common Symptoms
Tonsillitis can affect both children and adults. Common symptoms include:
- Sore throat, especially when swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or pus
- Fever or chills
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Bad breath or a constant foul taste
- Headache or ear pain
- Fatigue or irritability
- Recurring sore throats or throat infections
How We Diagnose
We begin with a review of your symptoms and a gentle physical exam. If needed, we may also recommend:
- A throat swab to test for strep throat
- Blood tests to check for viral infections like mono
- A symptom and infection history to evaluate how often tonsillitis is occurring
- Sleep evaluation if snoring or sleep apnea may be related to enlarged tonsils
We’ll help determine whether your symptoms are caused by tonsillitis — and whether it’s bacterial, viral, or chronic in nature.
Treatment Options
Tonsillitis treatment depends on the cause and how often it occurs. We may recommend:
- Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers to help with viral infections
- Antibiotics if the infection is bacterial, such as with strep throat
- Tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) for frequent or severe infections
- Adenoidectomy (surgical removal of adenoids, the glands located in the back of the nasal cavity) when they become enlarged or cause difficulty breathing
- Ongoing monitoring to track patterns in children or adults with recurring sore throats
We’ll work with you to decide whether supportive care or surgery is the best next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonsillitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Strep throat is one of the most common bacterial causes in children.
We’ll usually do a throat swab to confirm. Viral infections are more likely to come with cold symptoms, while strep throat often brings a sudden high fever and severe throat pain.
We may suggest a tonsillectomy if you have frequent infections (typically 5–7 or more per year), difficulty breathing at night, or complications like abscesses.
Yes — it’s more common in kids, but adults can absolutely experience both acute and chronic tonsillitis.
Most people recover in 7–10 days. Children tend to bounce back faster than adults, and we’ll give you clear guidance to help with healing.
Find Relief from Recurring Throat Infections
If tonsillitis is affecting your health, sleep, or quality of life, Grand Rapids Ear, Nose & Throat is here to help. Schedule a visit with a board-certified ENT today.