Tonsillitis

Key facts

• Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, the two soft-tissue pads at the back of the throat.
• Most cases are viral and clear on their own; bacterial tonsillitis, usually from Streptococcus pyogenes (strep), needs antibiotics to prevent complications.
• Typical signs are a raw painful throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and red or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white or yellow patches and tender neck glands.
• A throat swab confirms a bacterial cause; cefixime is one oral antibiotic used for it.

Symptoms and when antibiotics are needed

The classic signs are a raw, painful throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and visibly red or swollen tonsils, sometimes coated with white or yellow patches, along with swollen, tender neck lymph nodes. Viral tonsillitis looks similar but tends to come with cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose.

Bacterial tonsillitis is the form that calls for treatment from the antibiotics category, confirmed by a throat swab or rapid strep test. Cefixime is one oral antibiotic used for bacterial tonsillitis, particularly for streptococcal infection.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention promptly for severe difficulty swallowing or breathing, a muffled voice, drooling, or a swelling that pushes the tonsil to one side, since these can signal a peritonsillar abscess needing urgent care.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.