tonsillitis

Everyday

Tonsillitis is an illness where the tonsils, two lumps of soft tissue at the back of the throat, become infected and swollen, causing a sore throat, pain when swallowing and often a fever. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons and everyday life, tonsillitis is common in children; it is usually caused by a virus, sometimes by bacteria such as strep. Rest, drinks and painkillers from an adult help, and a doctor may give antibiotics if it is bacterial. Some children who get it very often have their tonsils taken out (a tonsillectomy). Phrases: «a bout of tonsillitis», «have tonsillitis».

Examples

• I was off school with tonsillitis. tree →
• Tonsillitis made it hurt to swallow. tree →
• The doctor looked at my tonsils with a light. tree →
• My sister had her tonsils out because she kept getting tonsillitis. tree →
• Ice lollies helped my sore throat when I had tonsillitis. tree →
• Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «She has tonsillitis». Spelling: tonsil + -itis (double l: tonsillitis). «-itis» means inflammation, like «appendicitis».