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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen left untreated, swollen tonsils can block normal breathing (airway obstruction), leading to sleep apnea and a number of other health problems.
Untreated tonsillitis can also lead to a collection of pus between a tonsil and the soft tissues around it (abscess). The abscess may cover a large part of the soft area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft palate). Rarely, the abscess may spread into the bloodstream or into the neck or chest.
Some strains of streptococcal bacteria that cause strep throat leading to tonsillitis can also cause kidney inflammation (nephritis) or rheumatic fever, a serious condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin.
