Tonsillitis: Symptoms & Treatment

Tonsils are oval-shaped lymphatic tissues that fight infection. They consist of various kinds, but the most common are the palatine tonsils, which are located on both sides of the throat. Sometimes, tonsils become infected themselves, causing them to become inflamed. This condition is called tonsillitis. Although tonsillitis can occur at any age, it is most common in children between 5 and 15 years of age.

Tonsillitis has several symptoms, including sore throat, fever, red and swollen tonsils, and painful swallowing. In many children, tonsils can become enlarged without any infection and shrink without treatment. If your child has these symptoms and don’t seem to get better over a number of weeks, take him to a pediatrician.

The pediatrician will evaluate your child to determine the correct course of treatment. The usual treatment for tonsillitis is prescription medication, but if your child has chronic, recurring tonsillitis, the pediatrician may recommend that he undergo a surgical procedure—called tonsillectomy—for the removal of the tonsils.

Should your child require tonsillectomy, both you and he/she need to be informed what will happen before, during, and after the surgery. Talking to the pediatrician and asking him all the questions in your mind will help you and your child understand the procedure better.