The tonsils are usually referred to as the palatine tonsils, the largest lymphatic tissue in the pharynx, the first line of defense of the throat, located in the tonsil fossa, when acute tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis occurs tonsils can be hypertrophic, that causes acute and chronic tonsillitis, what are the causes? 1, acute tonsillitis: type B hemolytic streptococcus is the main causative agent of the disease, non-hemolytic streptococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus pneumoniae and other bacteria can also cause the disease, bacteria and virus mixed infection is also more common. The pathogens can be introduced through droplets and direct contact. When the body’s resistance is weakened by exertion, cold or other reasons, the pathogens multiply rapidly and cause the disease. When acute inflammation of the tonsils occurs, the mucous membrane on the surface of the tonsils is congested, yellowish-white spots are visible, the tonsils are obviously swollen, and multiple small abscesses can be formed. 2, chronic tonsillitis: acute tonsillitis recurrent attacks do not heal easily cause chronic tonsillitis. It can be divided into 3 types: hypertrophic, cryptic, and atrophic. The tonsils are significantly enlarged and protrude beyond the palatal arch, and there is more connective tissue hyperplasia, so they are harder. In the crypt type, the mucosal epithelium of the fossa is thickened, the surface is hyperkeratotic or small ulcers are formed. A mixture of keratinized material, inflammatory exudate, exfoliated epithelial cells, white blood cells, and bacteria forms a plug of cheese-like material, which is plugged at the mouth of the fossa. In the atrophic type, fibrous tissue within the tonsillar interstitium proliferates, reducing the size of the tonsils. The fossa opening is narrowed by scarring, and its contents are difficult to eliminate, often becoming a lesion. In addition to causing enlarged tonsils, acute tonsillitis can also cause a variety of complications, especially systemic complications that are more serious than tonsillitis itself, so it is important to seek timely medical attention to avoid long-term enlargement of the tonsils.