label: Recurrent tonsillitis
label_lc: recurrent tonsillitis
description: Inflammation of the tonsils that has occurred repeatedly. The definition of recurrent may vary somewhat, but the criteria used recently as a measure of severity were five or more episodes of true tonsillitis per year, symptoms recurring for at least a year, and episodes that are disabling and that prevent normal functioning. In some cases recurrent tonsillitis may be related to immunosusceptibility. Evidence exists for a genetic predisposition for recurrent tonsillitis.