Amoxicillin is also used to treat tonsillitis and pharyngitis (sore throat). Amoxicillin belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillin antibiotics. It works by killing the bacteria and preventing their growth.

Understanding the Context

However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. AOL: Is tonsillitis contagious? Here’s what you need to know about this common condition. Is tonsillitis contagious?

Key Insights

Here’s what you need to know about this common condition. Tonsillitis is a common reason for visits to the doctor and prescriptions of antibiotics in primary care. To determine whether a patient needs antibiotics, doctors use the so-called Centor Criteria ... Tonsillitis is swelling and irritation, called inflammation, of the tonsils. The tonsils are two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat.

Final Thoughts

There's one tonsil on each side. Tonsillitis happens mainly to children and teens. Infection with a common virus causes most tonsillitis. But bacterial infections also may cause tonsillitis. Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. It's ...

Treatment Treatment for tonsillitis can include at-home care; antibiotics, if the cause is a bacterial infection; and in some cases, surgery. Tonsillectomy was once used to treat infection and inflammation of the tonsils. This is a condition called tonsillitis. Tonsillectomy still is used for this condition, but only when tonsillitis happens often or doesn't get better after other treatments.