Causes of Swollen Tonsils
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)
HSV-1 is a close relative of HSV-2, and the latter is a sexually transmitted disease that is known for causing sores and blisters on the genitals. HSV-1 is shared through contact such as kissing and sharing crockery, food, and utensils. It is a common virus, and around 67% of people are thought to have had it by the age of 50.
Many people with the HSV-1 virus will never experience an outbreak of symptoms. When they do, the symptoms typically include itching and sores around the mouth and elsewhere that blister. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and tonsillitis.
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