Does tonsillitis affect the pharynx?

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are throat infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are mainly affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is mainly affected, it is called pharyngitis. If you have both, it’s called pharyngotonsillitis.

Can tonsillitis block your airway?

Sometimes your tonsils or adenoids become infected or enlarged. In some people, they can cause frequent bacterial infections and can block airways, making it harder to breathe. If your adenoids and tonsils are enlarged, you might notice: It is hard to breathe through your nose.

How can you tell the difference between tonsillitis and pharyngitis?

What are pharyngitis and tonsillitis? Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is affected, it is called pharyngitis.

What happens if the pharyngeal tonsil is inflamed?

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one tonsil on each side. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck.

What is the difference between pharyngitis and strep throat?

Pharyngitis is considered an upper respiratory infection (URI). Strep throat and sore throat are differentiated by their route cause which can be determined by a throat culture. There are symptoms common between the two types of pharyngitis including pain, swelling, and irritation.

Can you get tonsillitis from kissing?

Yes, you can spread tonsillitis through kissing. Tonsillitis can develop due to a virus or bacteria. Viruses and bacteria can spread through droplets from kissing, coughing, and sneezing. If you have tonsillitis, you should avoid kissing to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria to another person.

Can swollen tonsils cause breathing problems?

Enlarged tonsils don’t always cause symptoms. However, if they’re very large, they can partially block your throat, affecting your breathing. Other possible signs and symptoms of enlarged tonsils include: difficulty breathing through the nose.

Can your throat close up from tonsillitis?

You may find it hard to swallow. Lymph nodes in your throat and neck can swell up too. If tonsillitis is the cause of your tight throat, you may also have these symptoms: Red throat.

What are pharyngeal tonsils?

The pharyngeal tonsils are located near the opening of the nasal cavity into the pharynx. When these tonsils become enlarged they may interfere with breathing and are called adenoids. The palatine tonsils are the ones that are located near the opening of the oral cavity into the pharynx.

What is the difference between sore throat and tonsillitis?

Meanwhile, sore throat or pharyngitis occurs due to inflammation that attacks the throat area. In contrast to tonsillitis, which attacks the tonsillar glands, which act as catchers and exterminators of germs in the respiratory tract.

Is tonsillitis bacterial or viral?

Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus, such as a cold, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection such as strep throat.