3. Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Enlarged lymph nodes are a good indication that you have an infection. Your lymph nodes are located on opposite sides of your neck, and you will often see your doctor feel there to see if they are enlarged when you report cold or flu-like symptoms. Enlarged lymph nodes can be somewhat uncomfortable, although most people do not notice them at all, and they will go away once again once the infection is gone away.
In the case of tonsillitis, there is no real difference between the enlarged lymph nodes that are caused by a cold or flu virus and the enlarged lymph nodes that are caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the tonsils. You will have to rely upon other symptoms to confirm that the enlarged lymph nodes are being caused by tonsillitis. The presence of several symptoms in a row may indicate tonsillitis rather than another illness.