Checking the tonsils involves examining the two small, oval-shaped masses of tissue at the back of the throat. They are part of the lymphatic system and help to trap and filter bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose.
Regularly checking the tonsils is important because they can become infected or inflamed, leading to a condition known as tonsillitis. Symptoms of tonsillitis include a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and fever. In severe cases, tonsillitis can lead to complications such as a peritonsillar abscess, which is a collection of pus that forms around the tonsils.