Question: what causes tonsils?

Jacquie Oliwa answered on 13 Jul 2017:

Hi Bosco,
Tonsils are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of your throat. They function as a defense mechanism. They help prevent your body from infection. They produce white blood cells to help your body fight infection. The tonsils combat bacteria and viruses that enter your body through your mouth. When the tonsils become infected, the condition is called tonsillitis. infection can be caused by a variety of common viruses and bacteria, such as Streptococci, which cause strep throat. Tonsillitis caused by strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Tonsillitis can occur at any age and is a common childhood infection. It is most often diagnosed in children from preschool age through their midteens. Symptoms include a sore throat, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, hoarse or no voice, coughing, headache, earache and fever. The tonsils will appear red and swollen, and in severe cases, may have white pus-filled spots and accompanied swallowed neck glands.

Best,
Jacquie