Surgery

Treatment of tonsillitis aims to relieve its symptoms. Surgery is very rarely required. It is not always necessary to identify the exact cause of tonsillitis before beginning treatment, but it generally is advisable to at least determine whether the infection is due to streptococcal bacteria, so that appropriate treatment can be started. A “rapid strep” […]

A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. These are the criteria doctors use to decide whether the tonsils should be removed: Tonsillectomy is definitely required when the tonsils are so large they obstruct breathing, swallowing or both. Before surgery, however, antibiotics should be tried, perhaps for as long as a month, to see whether your child’s condition

  What to expect after tonsil removal surgery: Your child will likely experience moderate nasal congestion and drainage, a sore throat, and earaches for a few days after surgery. Allow about two weeks for full recovery. During this time, keep your child from engaging in strenuous physical activity. It is best for a parent to

The main symptoms of adenoiditis are nasal stuffiness and nasal discharge. In this respect, adenoiditis is not really distinguishable from the common cold. In children who develop a common cold, the adenoids become inflamed as part of the illness. If nasal stuffiness and discharge persist for longer than about 10 days-especially if the discharge has a greenish,

Here are some frequently asked questions related to tonsillitis and tonsillectomy: Q: Years ago, children’s tonsils were removed often. Why is it different today? A: At one time doctors believed that tonsils had no real purpose and routinely removed them to avoid tonsillitis. Today, tonsils and adenoids are seen as perhaps the “first line of defense” against disease-causing germs that

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to tonsillitis and tonsillectomy: Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that can be caused either by a virus or by bacteria. Sore throat, pain while swallowing, fever, and difficulty speaking are common symptoms of tonsillitis. Penicillin is the best antibiotic for treating tonsillitis, unless your

Here are definitions of medical terms related to tonsillitis and tonsillectomy: Abscess: A collection of pus that requires surgical drainage. Adenoidectomy: Surgical removal of the adenoids. Adenoiditis: An infection of the adenoids. Adenoids: Gland-like lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat behind the nose that may help protect against infection. Antibodies: Proteins made in the body that fight infection

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on tonsillitis and tonsillectomy: The American Academy of Family Physicians  http://familydoctor.org/ American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery  Phone: (703) 836-4444 http://www.entnet.org U.S. National Library of Medicine  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/