Tonsillitis typically presents with tonsils that appear red, swollen, and inflamed. The tonsils may also be covered with white or yellow patches or spots, which can look like pus
. Other visual signs include:
- Red, swollen tonsils at the back of the throat
- White or yellow coating or flecks on the tonsils
- Sometimes pus-filled spots on the tonsils
In addition to the visual appearance, symptoms often include a sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, fever, bad breath, and sometimes changes in the voice
. In young children, signs may also include drooling or refusal to eat due to painful swallowing
. Overall, tonsillitis looks like inflamed, enlarged tonsils with possible white or yellow patches, often accompanied by redness and swelling in the throat area
