Tonsillitis Causes

Whether viral or bacterial, tonsillitis is transmitted most commonly from one person to another by social contact such as droplets in the air from sneezing. Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection.

Bacterial tonsillitis can be caused by Streptococcus pyogenes-the organism that causes strep throat. If left untreated, strep throat may lead to a more serious condition called rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart several years later.

• Only about 30% of tonsillitis in children is caused by strep throat.
  
  
• Only 10% of tonsillitis in adults is caused by strep throat.