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2. Viral Infection
Almost 80% of tonsillitis cases are due to a viral infection. The virus that causes the common cold is said to be the same culprit behind tonsillitis, although several other viruses can also trigger tonsillitis. Some of those viruses that can cause tonsillitis are influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, and coronavirus.
In some cases, tonsillitis can also happen due to a more serious infection, such as herpes simplex virus or HIV. The white blood cells in the tonsils can destroy the virus, but since the tonsils will act like filters, they are usually vulnerable to the infection. Some of the symptoms of tonsillitis can happen directly due to infection, however, others will develop as a result of the body’s immune responses.
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