Chronic tonsillitis happens when you have an ongoing sore throat, enlarged tonsils, bad breath, and enlarged lymph nodes. They can be treated with antibiotics, pain relievers, and sometimes surgery to remove the tonsils.Antibiotic treatment may be needed if a bacteria caused the infection. In more severe, recurrent tonsillitis or adenoid infection, or in chronic cases, surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids (tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy) may be recommended to cure the condition.