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Tonsillitis occurs when invading organisms overwhelm the body’s immune system response. These organisms include:

• Viruses. Viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis, probably because viral infections are especially common in young children. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, and generally resolve without treatment. Viruses that can cause tonsillitis include those viruses that cause the following:
  
  
• Common cold. There are hundreds of different viruses that can cause a cold.
  
  
• Flu. Fewer viruses cause the flu, which has more severe symptoms than a cold. Flu vaccines are available that can reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with particular strains of flu viruses.
  
  
• Mononucleosis. This infection is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mononucleosis may also cause a fever, sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes (glands).
  
  
• Bacteria. Bacteria that can cause tonsillitis include those bacteria that also cause:
  
  
• Strep throat. This infection is caused by group A streptococci bacteria, which affect the pharynx (back of the throat) and tonsils or adenoids. A common bacterial cause of tonsillitis, strep is responsible for 15 to 30 percent of all cases of tonsillitis in children, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Strep throat occurs most often in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years.
  
  
• Fungi and parasites. Very rarely, certain fungi and parasites may be the cause of tonsillitis.