Recognizing Tonsillitis & Adenoiditis

Your tonsils and adenoids play a key role in your body’s immune system by helping to protect against disease by “filtering” viruses and bacteria that enter your body through your mouth or nose.

Though tonsils and adenoids help keep you healthy, they can sometimes cause more harm than they do good. Tonsillitis and adenoiditis happen when your tonsils and adenoids become inflamed or infected and swell. When tonsils and adenoids swell, breathing through the nose may become more difficult and sleeping patterns may be disturbed.

Symptoms Of Tonsillitis and Adenoiditis

Tonsillitis and adenoiditis most commonly affect children between preschool ages and mid-teenage years. Though anyone who has their tonsils and adenoids may be affected at any time. Symptoms to watch for include:

Tonsillitis

  • Red, swollen tonsils
  • White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
  • Sore throat
  • Difficult or painful swallowing
  • Fever
  • Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
  • A scratchy, muffled, or throaty voice
  • Bad breath
  • Stomachache
  • Neck pain or stiff neck
  • Headache

Adenoiditis

  • trouble breathing through nose
  • breathing through the mouth, causing dry lips and dry mouth
  • talking as if your nostrils are pinched
  • noisy, raspy breathing
  • bad breath
  • snoring
  • obstructive sleep apnea
  • frequent or long-lasting nose or sinus infections
  • ear infections, middle ear fluid, hearing loss

Getting a Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

If you notice any symptoms of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, speaking with an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist is your next step.

Depending on the severity and how often symptoms occur, surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids may be suggested. In most cases, an ENT will remove both tonsils and adenoids during a procedure called tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. These procedures are outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day. However, depending on age and severity of symptoms, your ENT may have you stay in the hospital overnight to monitor progress.

Post-Surgery Tips

  • After surgery, nausea and vomiting is normal.
  • For the first 1-2 hours post-surgery, consume only clear liquids such as 7-Up, apple juice, and popsicles. Staying hydrated with cool liquids will help ease sore throats.
  • Keep strenuous exercise and activity to a minimum for 2 weeks.
  • Children should not go to school or daycare for 2 weeks following surgery.
  • Use Tylenol, Advil, or the prescribed pain medication from your doctor to help with throat soreness.
  • Solid foods are allowed once liquids can be tolerated without nausea or vomiting. Your surgeon will want you on a soft foods diet for 2 weeks to help with recovery. Suggested foods include:
    • Jell-O
    • Pudding
    • Mashed potatoes
    • Soup

Sources: Dr. Justin Oltman, Dr. Eric Rohe, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, nationwidechildrens.org