Difference between viral and bacterial tonsillitis

The tonsils are an integral part of the body’s immune function. They are the body’s first defense mechanism against germs and viruses that enter the body through your mouth, per Mayo Clinic.

Tonsillitis is a condition that occurs when the tonsils become infected, says Dr.

James Clark, the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Dysphagia and Deglutition Clinic and an assistant professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Often, tonsillitis will go away by itself, but depending on the type of infection, you may need to take a course of prescription antibiotics.

In conversation with USA TODAY, an expert breaks down some FAQs on this common condition.

What causes tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is usually caused by a viral infection, although in some cases it can be caused by a bacterial infection, says Clark.

Streptococcus pyogenes, the same bacterium that causes strep throat, is responsible for most bacterial infections of tonsillitis, according to WebMD.

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