Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, the two soft tissue pads at the back of the throat. Most cases are caused by a virus and clear on their own, but bacterial tonsillitis, usually from Streptococcus pyogenes (strep), requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications.
Key points
- A throat swab or rapid strep test helps confirm whether bacteria are behind the inflammation.
- Viral cases tend to come with cold-like features such as a runny nose, unlike the bacterial form.
- Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing, a muffled voice, or swelling pushing a tonsil sideways can signal a more serious abscess needing urgent care.
Symptoms and when antibiotics are needed
The classic signs are a raw, painful throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and visibly red or swollen tonsils, sometimes coated with white or yellow patches. Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck are common. Viral tonsillitis looks similar but tends to come with cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose.
Bacterial tonsillitis is the form that calls for treatment from the antibiotics category. A throat swab or rapid strep test confirms the cause. Cefixime is one oral antibiotic used for bacterial tonsillitis, particularly where it is prescribed for streptococcal infections.
Seek medical attention promptly if you develop severe difficulty swallowing or breathing, a muffled voice, drooling, or a swelling that pushes the tonsil to one side, as these can signal a peritonsillar abscess requiring urgent care.