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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Tonsillitis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Tonsillitis is an inflammation or infection of the tonsils.
What is going on in the body?
The body has two sets, or pairs, of tonsils. The palatine tonsils can be seen at the back of the throat. The lingual tonsils are at the back of the tongue and cannot be seen by looking in the mouth. Tonsillitis usually means the inflammation or infection of the palatine tonsils. But sometimes the infection can involve the lingual tonsils and lymph nodes in the back of the throat.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Common causes of acute tonsillitis may include:
Subacute tonsillitis is most commonly caused by actinomyces, a normal mouth bacterium that can cause infection.
In chronic tonsillitis, there is a long-standing infection that is almost always bacterial.