Tonsils are lymphoid tissue located in the sides of the throat. They are prone to infection, especially in younger patients.
Tonsil Infection Treatment
In the past, the treatment method for tonsillitis – infection of the tonsils – was surgical removal of the tonsils. This procedure, known as a tonsillectomy, was practically a rite of passage for generations, but in recent years, doctors tend to take a more conservative approach thanks to skepticism over the effectiveness of this approach. It is now reserved for chronic cases that do not respond to other forms of medical treatment.
Instead, home remedies are usually recommended for tonsil infections caused by a virus. Your child should get plenty of rest and stay hydrated with fluids. Warm broth or tea, and cold popsicles, are particularly effective at soothing pain and discomfort. Pain and fever can be controlled with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (but avoid aspirin, which can be harmful in children). Throat lozenges or cough drops can be given to children over the age of 4.
The tonsils can be removed in cases of more than 5 episodes of strep throat or tonsillitis in a year. Tonsils can also be removed to resolve snoring that disrupts sleep (known as sleep disordered breathing). A cautery is used to remove the tonsils. This allows for a rapid and safe procedure with minimal blood loss. Dr. Rosner believes in making sure your child is comfortable following surgery. Ibuprofen, steroids, Marcaine injections in surgery and narcotics are used to provide superior pain control.