Your tonsils are two small masses of lymphoid tissue in your throat on each side at the rear. They can become infected or have other problems. The most common tonsil condition is tonsillitis when the tonsils are infected and swollen. Other conditions that may affect the tonsils are peritonsillar abscess, acute mononucleosis, strep throat and tonsil stones.
You may have problems with your tonsils if you have pain or discomfort when swallowing, a sore throat or a fever with swollen glands in your neck. Enlarged, swollen and infected tonsils may be visible by simply looking in the throat, but a physician can diagnose the condition, find the causes and prescribe a treatment.
In addition to a physical exam of your throat, your doctor may do other tests that include a throat culture or a monospot test. Depending on the cause, your doctor will also prescribe a treatment. They include anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, abscess drainage and tonsillectomy or removal by surgery.