Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils—a collection of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat that normally helps prevent infection. Viruses are the most common cause, bacteria another. Depending on the severity, some people require a tonsillectomy. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, white patches on the tonsils, sore throat, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, bad breath, headache, and stiff neck.

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