Tonsillitis is a health condition that is characterized by swollen or inflamed tonsils. As you must be aware, tonsils are the two large masses of tissue in the throat that act as a defense against invading germs and organisms. There is a tonsil on either side of the throat. When one or both of these tissue balls suffer an inflammation, there is a case of Tonsillitis. If the tonsils get too enlarged, they may even be touching each other. Swollen tonsils in children are also known as kissing tonsils. However, there may also be a case of Swollen Tonsils on one side.

Swollen Tonsils Symptoms
Swollen tonsils are normally caused by some type of infections and the typical symptoms include:
-- Tonsils coating that is white or yellow
-- Throat or tonsils are red
-- Fever
-- Bad breath or Halitosis
-- Swallowing that is difficult or painful swallowing
-- Neck lymph glands are swollen

If is advised to get medical care for a tenacious sore or swollen throat, even when not supplemented by fever. Throat infections or swollen tonsils left untreated may lead to difficulties with the kidneys and heart, for instance rheumatic fever. Also a situation known as "peritonsillar abscess" may occur and the swelling from this abscess may grow big enough to block the airway. This infection also can migrate into the neck and chest and could become fatal.

Swollen Tonsils Causes
The cause of swollen tonsils as well as infections of the throat can be due to a bacteria or virus and may spread from one individual to another by coughing, sneezing as well as fluids from the nasal passages. In infants and children of preschool age, the cold virus or the flu virus normally causes Chronic Tonsillitis. In adolescents or adults it is most normally caused by bacteria such as:
-- Staphylococci
-- Streptococcus
-- Haemophilus
-- Pneumococci