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.

Tonsillitis shares symptoms similar to that of a cold or flu. According to Clark, common symptoms that may indicate you have tonsillitis are:

• Sore throat
• Painful Swallowing
• Fever
• Swollen and red tonsils (sometimes with white patches)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Bad breath

Is tonsillitis contagious?

Tonsillitis itself is not contagious. However, “the viruses and bacteria that cause tonsillitis are highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks,” says Clark.

Though people of all ages can develop tonsillitis, it is most often experienced by children. A possible explanation for why there are less incidences of tonsillitis in adults is that the function of the tonsils decreases as you get older, per Healthline.

Can tonsillitis go away by itself?

Whether tonsillitis goes away by itself depends on whether the infection is viral or bacterial.

“Viral tonsillitis typically goes away on its own in about one week,” Clark says. This type of tonsillitis is managed symptomatically, he says. 

On the other hand, “bacterial tonsillitis takes about ten days to run its course, but you’ll likely need antibiotics to reduce your risk of complications,” Clark notes.

To treat tonsillitis, prioritize rest and hydration, Clark recommends. To find relief from your symptoms, you can try taking OTC medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, using throat lozenges, or gargling with warm salt water, he says. If your tonsillitis infection is bacterial, a doctor may prescribe you antibiotics, he adds. 

When to see a doctor

Consider consulting a doctor if you are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms of tonsillitis that last “more than a few days,” Clark says. According to Clark, other indications that you may need to see a doctor include: swallowing or breathing difficulties, “frequent occurrences of tonsillitis,” or having a high fever or rash, which may point to a bacterial infection like strep throat.

More:How do you get strep throat? Watch out for these early signs of the highly contagious illness

If you are experiencing recurrent cases of tonsillitis, a doctor can assess whether you may benefit from undergoing a tonsillectomy, which is “the surgical removal of the tonsils,” he says.