Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the tonsils caused by bacterial or viral infection. When caused by group A streptococcus bacterium, it is called Strep Throat. In most cases, the victims recover without any medication.

Viral infection is the most likely cause of tonsillitis with viruses like adenovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, HIV, or cytomegalovirus the major culprits. Anaerobic bacteria too are infamous for resulting in tonsillitis, a number of scientific and clinical observations have reported.

Normally, the bacteria or virus enter the human body via mouth and nose and get filtered in the tonsils. The white blood cells present there fight with the bacteria and viruses by producing cytokines such as Phospholipase A2, whose production leads to fever. Inflammation of the pharynx may set in if infection is present in the throat. chronic and recurrent tonsillitis in children can lead to poor physical and mental development.