Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become infected. Tonsils are the two small lumps of soft tissue — one on either side — at the back of your throat. You can see your tonsils in a mirror by opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue.

Your tonsils are part of your immune system, and they help trap germs that make you sick. When your tonsils become infected, they get swollen and sore, and swallowing may hurt. The medical term for tonsillitis is “tonsillopharyngitis”, but most people call it a sore throat because that’s what it feels like.

Tonsillitis is most common in children and adolescents, but it can affect people of all ages. It rarely occurs in children under the age of 3. Most people have tonsillitis at least once in their lifetimes.