What Are the Causes of Infected Tonsils?

Tonsils are important lymph organs which help your body fight off bacterial infection by clearing invaders from your throat. Unfortunately, the engulfed cells sometimes 'revolt' and attack the tonsils directly, causing a well-known illness called tonsillitis.

Tonsils

• There are several different tonsils in the throat region, according to the textbook Human Anatomy and Physiology. These include the lingual tonsils, the tubal tonsils, and the pharyngeal tonsil. The largest two (and the most likely to become infected) are the palatine tonsils at the back of the oral cavity.

Children

• During early childhood development, when the immune system is learning to fight infections, the tonsils begin the process of collecting bacteria and creating memory immune cells to counter those bacteria. This is why tonsillitis is most often seen in children.

Viral Infection

• Sometimes, the tonsils become infected with a virus, such as the Epstein-Barr virus which also causes mononucleosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, these infections can result in pus formation which may spread to the bloodstream.

Bacterial Infections

• A less common cause of tonsillitis is a buildup of bacteria filtered out of the throat by the tonsils. Group A streptococcus, which also causes strep throat, is a frequent source of infection.

Treatments

• Viral infections have no cure; therefore, the virus must run its course before the infection subsides. Bacterial infections may need to be treated with antibiotics. Although common in the past, tonsil removal is only recommended if the infection doesn't respond to other treatments.