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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Acute tonsillitis will usually present with erythema and edema of the tonsils rapidly upon infiltration of the pathogen. It is usually self-limited and symptoms will be resolved within 3-4 days. Recurrent tonsillitis will usually not resolve itself and will require antimicrobrial therapy or tonsillectomy when indicated. Complications of tonsillitis are caused by persistence and/or spread of the responsible pathogen – usually bacterial. The prognosis for acute tonsillitis without treatment is usually good, while the prognosis for untreated recurrent tonsillitis will vary based on presence of life-threatening complications. With treatment, the prognosis of acute and recurrent tonsillitis is usually good.

Natural History

Natural History

  • Acute tonsillitis will usually present with erythema and edema of the tonsils rapidly upon infiltration of the pathogen.[1]
    • Symptoms, including fever and sore throat, will usually manifest within 24 hours of infection.
  • Acute tonsillitis is usually self-limited and will be resolved within 3-4 days.
  • Recurrent tonsillitis will usually not resolve itself and will require antimicrobrial therapy or tonsillectomy when indicated.[2]
    • Left untreated, recurrent tonsillitis may persist and recur over periods of time and can lead to infectious complications.
Complications

Complications

Complications of tonsillitis are caused by persistence and/or spread of the responsible pathogen – usually bacterial – and include the following:[1]

Prognosis

Prognosis

  • The prognosis for acute tonsillitis without treatment is usually good; the disease is usually self-limited and will resolve itself within 3-4 days.[1]
  • The prognosis for recurrent tonsillitis varies based on the presence of life-threatening complications.[4]
  • With treatment, the prognosis of acute and recurrent tonsillitis is usually good.
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Tonsillitis – NHS Choices”.
  2. ↑ Stuck BA, Götte K, Windfuhr JP, Genzwürker H, Schroten H, Tenenbaum T (2008). “Tonsillectomy in children”. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 105 (49): 852–60, quiz 860–1. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2008.0852. PMC 2689639. PMID 19561812.
  3. ↑ Rio AC, Franchi-Teixeira AR, Nicola EM (2008). “Relationship between the presence of tonsilloliths and halitosis in patients with chronic caseous tonsillitis”. Br Dent J. 204 (2): E4. doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1106. PMID 18037821.
  4. ↑ “Rheumatic fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia”.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.