Do I Need My Tonsils Removed?

Know the warning signs that it may be time for your child to get a tonsillectomy.

“Open your mouth and say ‘Ah’”. If you brought your child into our practice for a sore throat this is likely the statement your child is going to hear from us as we check their throat to see if they could be dealing with tonsillitis, an infection of the tonsils that our Sacramento, CA, pediatricians treats rather regularly. While a minor infection or a single occurrence isn’t enough to be concerned about, it is important to know when your child might benefit from having their tonsils removed.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is a swelling of the tonsils, lumps of tissue that lie in the back of the throat. The purpose of tonsils is to protect your body from infections that may enter the body through the mouth. Unfortunately, most cases of tonsillitis are contagious so it can be spread to other members of your family if not treated right away.

What are the telltale symptoms?

Common symptoms of tonsillitis include,

• Sore throat
• Red, inflamed tonsils
• A yellow or white coating over the tonsils
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Difficulty swallowing

If your child is complaining of any of these symptoms then it’s time to visit your Sacramento, CA, pediatricians as soon as possible for care. While these symptoms are similar to other conditions such as strep it’s important to rule out other health problems and make sure your child gets the proper treatment or medication they need for a faster recovery.

How is tonsillitis treated?

How our pediatricians decide to treat your child’s tonsillitis will depend on whether it’s caused by a virus or bacteria. This is why it’s important that they come in for an evaluation so we can determine the best course of action. Most of the time we will be able to tell the cause just by looking at the tonsils; however, we may also perform a painless throat culture to determine whether it’s from strep bacteria.

If your child’s tonsillitis is viral, usually the body can just fight the infection on its own over time. However, if strep bacteria are to blame, we will most likely prescribe antibiotics. Of course, it’s vitally important that your child takes the full dose of antibiotics and doesn’t stop, even if they start to feel better. Stopping treatment early can cause the infection to come back.

When might my child benefit from a tonsillectomy?

If your child gets tonsillitis more than seven times a year or five or more infections for two consecutive years, then our pediatricians may recommend having the tonsils removed. If tonsils become so enlarged that they impact breathing or lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), then a tonsillectomy will be needed to remove the tonsils and get rid of the obstruction.

Tonsillectomies are one of the most commonly performed surgeries on kids in the US today; however, as with any surgery, there are always pros and cons. It’s important to talk with our Sacramento, CA, pediatricians at Timberlake Pediatrics if your child is dealing regularly with tonsillitis to determine if a tonsillectomy is right for them. To schedule a consultation, call (916) 688-5040 today.