Children usually get more attacks of tonsillitis than adults as they get more colds and upper respiratory tract infections. This in a sense is important as it helps them to build up their immunity because they can only be immune to bugs you have been exposed to.
Attacks of tonsillitis can sometimes, however, get too frequent in which case surgery to remove them may be suggested. This is called a tonsillectomy i.e. surgical removal of tonsils. Surgery is usually suggested when repeated attacks of tonsillitis cause a child to get very ill, miss school too often or result in a number of hospital admissions due to the tonsillitis. This is carefully discussed with you explaining the pros and cons of surgery.
Tonsils may become large as a result of these recurrent infections although large tonsils in the absence of any other problems are no cause for concern. Your family doctor will usually have a record of the history if your child has had several attacks of tonsillitis.
Most people will be aware of what tonsillitis is as they would have been told by their family doctor or GP. Occasionally it is not clear if your child has been getting recurrent tonsillitis and a consultation with Mr Olarinde will help untangle this. A consultation is usually helpful to make an informed decision about a tonsillectomy and of course necessary before going ahead with surgery.
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