Tonsillitis. Throat of a patient with cryptic, or chronic, tonsillitis. The tonsillar crypts (small pits in the tonsils, centre left and right) are the site of infection. Areas of pale pus can be seen, particularly on the right side. The pits can trap food debris and bacteria that can prolong the course of an infection and cause it to recur. Tonsillitis causes a sore throat, fever and difficulty with swallowing. However, at times, cryptic tonsillitis may cause no symptoms. Antibiotic treatment may temporarily cure cryptic tonsillitis, but the only permanent cure is surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy).