What are Pharyngitis and Tonsilitis?
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections in the throat that cause inflammation (swelling). If the tonsils are primarily affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is primarily affected, it is called pharyngitis. A child might have inflammation and infection of both the tonsils and the throat. This would be called pharyngotonsillitis.
These infections are spread by close contact with other people. Bacterial infections are more common during the winter. Viral infections are more common in summer and fall.
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are most commonly seen in school-aged children. Children under age 2 rarely develop group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), or strep throat.
