Causes of tonsillitis

Causes of tonsillitis

The tonsils are two lymphoid pads at the back of the throat - part of the immune system's first line of defence, which is also why they get infected so often, especially in children.

Viruses - the cause in most cases. The same viruses that cause colds and flu (rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza, EBV) cause most tonsillitis, particularly in children under 5 and adults. Viral tonsillitis comes with cold symptoms - runny nose, cough, hoarseness - and heals on its own in under a week.

Bacteria - the cause that changes treatment. Group A Streptococcus ("strep") causes roughly a third of childhood tonsillitis and a smaller share in adults. It matters because untreated strep can lead to rheumatic fever (heart valve damage - still a real burden in India), kidney inflammation, and pus collections around the tonsil. Strep is suggested by high fever, pus on the tonsils, tender neck glands and the absence of cough.

How it spreads: droplets from coughing and sneezing, close contact, shared utensils and bottles, and contaminated hands - which is why tonsillitis sweeps through classrooms and families.

Risk factors: age 5-15 (peak years), school and daycare exposure, winter and monsoon seasons, secondhand smoke, and frequent throat infections in the family.

Not causes: eating cold food or ice cream does not cause tonsillitis - at most it briefly irritates an already inflamed throat.

Remember: assume viral first; the strep possibility is what makes a severe tonsillitis worth testing.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive)

Ayurveda places tonsillitis among throat (kantha) disorders - an interpretive frame. The actual causes are the viruses and bacteria above.