What is it?
Tonsilitis is swelling of the tonsils. The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They help to filter out bacteria and other germs to prevent infection in the body. Tonsilitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses. It is more common in children than it is in adults. Symptoms of tonsilitis include sore throat, coughing, swelling in the neck, pain in the throat and fever.