Tonsillitis is an infection or inflammation of the tonsils  The tonsils are balls of lymphatic tissue on both sides of the throat, above and behind the tongue. They are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection.

Signs and symptoms

Tonsillitis is characterized by red, swollen tonsils. You may also notice white patches on the tonsils. Other signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:

• Severe sore throat
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Headache
• Fever and chills
• Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the jaw and neck
• Loss of voice