Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Sore throat
Fatigued
Have a fever
Swallowing difficulties
White spots at the back of the throat
Pain when swallowing
Swollen tonsils
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis?
Infection of the tonsils and pharynx (back of the mouth), either by viruses or bacteria.
Typical Symptoms of Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
- Unable to swallow liquids
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Swollen throat
- Pain at the back of the head
- Sore throat with pain when swallowing
- Recurrent fever episodes
- Cough worsens after exercise
- Whole body pain
Diagnostic Questions for Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you unable to swallow liquids?
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Is your throat swollen?
- Do you have pain at the back of your head?
- Do you have a sore throat with pain when swallowing?
Treatment of Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
This condition may improve without treatment, especially if caused by viruses. The doctor may prescribe pain relievers, and in some cases antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection. Ensuring proper hydration is important as pain makes swallowing and drinking difficult.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Throat swelling
- One side of the throat is swollen
- Hard to eat
- Difficult to swallow food because of pain
- Asymmetric throat swelling
- Tonsils are inflamed
- Throat feels burnt when I drink
- Unilateral tonsillar swelling
- Throat tightness
- Swelling of the throat is worse on one side
- Bump in the throat
- Swollen uvula
- Sore, swollen glands in neck or jaw
See full list
Symptoms Related to Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
Diseases Related to Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
FAQs
Q.
Throat Still Sore? Why Remedies Fail & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
If your sore throat persists after tea, lozenges, and pain relievers, it may be strep, allergies with postnasal drip, acid reflux, irritants, or a viral illness that can last up to 10 days; the approved next steps are to reassess symptoms, consider strep testing, and treat the underlying cause while watching for red flags like breathing or swallowing trouble, high fever, rash, or one-sided swelling. There are several factors to consider. See below for the full checklist, evidence-based remedies, and exact thresholds for testing and urgent care.
References:
* Rosenfeld, R. M., et al. (2017). Clinical practice guideline: adult sore throat. *Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery*, *157*(1_suppl), S1-S37. PMID: 28892110.
* Piskovatska, V., et al. (2017). Chronic pharyngitis: causes, diagnosis and treatment. *Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery*, *25*(2), 164-169. PMID: 28406859.
* Schachtel, B. P., & Schachtel, E. P. (2015). Symptomatic treatment of acute pharyngitis: a review of the evidence. *Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy*, *13*(2), 239-247. PMID: 25686000.
* Ginde, A. A., et al. (2015). Diagnosis and management of viral pharyngitis in the emergency department. *Journal of Emergency Medicine*, *48*(1), 127-133. PMID: 25529462.
* Kim, Y. H., et al. (2018). Evaluation of the patient with chronic throat pain. *Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America*, *51*(3), 643-655. PMID: 29991586.
Q.
Persistent Pain? Why Your Pharynx is Inflamed & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Persistent throat pain often points to inflammation of the pharynx from common causes like viral infections, strep, tonsillitis, allergies, acid reflux, or irritants, with less common but serious problems possible. Medically approved next steps are to monitor and use supportive care if mild, get evaluated and tested if symptoms last more than 10 days or worsen, and seek urgent care for red flags such as trouble breathing, drooling, severe one-sided pain, high fever, or a muffled voice; there are several factors to consider, and vital details that could change your plan are explained below.
References:
* Liu Y, Zhang Z, Jiang W, et al. Chronic Pharyngitis: Current Perspectives on Diagnosis and Management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022 Dec;63(3):399-410. doi: 10.1007/s12016-022-08945-8. Epub 2022 Oct 13. PMID: 36229562.
* Lechien JR, Akoumianakis D, Karkos P, et al. Global Consensus on Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A Literature Review of Symptoms, Diagnostic Modalities, and Management. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Dec;169(6):1494-1506. doi: 10.1177/01945998231187474. Epub 2023 Jun 28. PMID: 37376678.
* Bhargava SD, Agrawal V, Bhatia S, Soni N. Chronic pharyngitis: a review of current concepts in etiology and management. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Oct;22(20):6893-6902. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201810_16231. PMID: 30379201.
* Al-Hussona MZ, Hamad MA, Al-Muzaini AM. The Correlation between Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Pharyngitis. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Jul 30;9(7):3585-3589. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_252_20. PMID: 33042784; PMCID: PMC7567702.
* Lee JS, Cha DH, Kim KM, et al. Chronic throat discomfort: what is it and how do we treat it? Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Sep;4(3):109-17. doi: 10.3342/ceo.2011.4.3.109. Epub 2011 Sep 12. PMID: 21949575; PMCID: PMC3171888.
Q.
Pharyngitis? Why Your Throat Is Inflamed & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Pharyngitis is throat inflammation that most often comes from viruses and improves in 5 to 7 days with supportive care; bacterial strep is less common, requires testing, and antibiotics can speed recovery within 24 to 48 hours. Get urgent care for trouble breathing, drooling, a muffled voice, severe neck swelling, inability to swallow saliva, or a high fever that does not improve. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms pointing to strep vs viral causes, when to test, which treatments help, and prevention; see the complete details below to choose the right next steps.
References:
* Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW Jr, Gerber MA, Kaplan EL, Lee G, Van Beneden JA. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: 2012 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Nov 15;55(10):e86-109.
* Tanz RR. Streptococcal Pharyngitis: Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;35(1):1-16.
* Choby BA. Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Jul 15;102(2):98-103.
* Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone S, Esposito S, Huovinen P, Little P, Verheij T. Approach to the diagnosis and management of viral pharyngitis. New Microbiol. 2018 Jan;41(1):1-5.
* Little P, Moore M. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of acute pharyngitis. BMJ. 2018 Sep 26;362:k3839. doi: 10.1136/bmj.k3839. PMID: 30257850.
Q.
Swallowing Glass? Why Your Throat Is Under Attack & Your Strep Relief Plan
A.
A sharp “swallowing glass” sore throat is often strep, a bacterial infection that needs a rapid test and antibiotics; key clues are sudden severe pain, fever, swollen tender neck nodes, red swollen tonsils with white patches, and usually no cough. Testing is the only way to know for sure. Relief and safety depend on the right steps: take the full antibiotic course if prescribed, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen and soothing fluids, stay home until 24 hours after starting treatment, and seek urgent care for trouble breathing or swallowing, high fever, or one-sided severe swelling. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below.
References:
* Chiappini, E., Bortone, B., Tovo, P. A., et al. (2018). Acute pharyngitis: a practical guide to diagnosis and treatment. *Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 44*(Suppl 2), 114.
* Shulman, S. T., & Bisno, A. L. (2020). Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: A 2020 Update. *Current Infectious Disease Reports, 22*(12), 40.
* Carapetis, J. R., Beaton, A., & O'Connor, G. M. (2019). Acute Rheumatic Fever in the 21st Century: Clinical, Pathogenetic, and Public Health Considerations. *Circulation, 139*(20), 2376-2391.
* Gerber, M. A. (2016). Revisiting antibiotic treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. *The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 35*(11), 1259-1260.
* Popovich, E., Coyle, D., & Salter, J. (2017). Non-antibiotic treatments for sore throat: a systematic review. *Family Practice, 34*(3), 260-267.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Buettner, R., Schwermer, M., & Ostermann, T. (2023). Complementary and alternative medicine in the (symptomatic) treatment of acute tonsillitis in children: A systematic review. Therapies in Medicine.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229923000274Bochner, R. E., Gangar, M., & Belamarich, P. F. (2017). A clinical approach to tonsillitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, and peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses. Pediatrics in Review.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/38/2/81/31836Eroğlu, A., Suzan, Ö. K., Kolukısa, T., & Kaya, Ö. (2024). The relationship between group A streptococcus test positivity and clinical findings in tonsillopharyngitis in children: systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s15010-024-02395-7