What your pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist in San Antonio wants you to know
If your child has a sore throat, it’s difficult to know whether it will go away on its own, or whether it’s a sign of a more serious condition, like tonsillitis. Dr. Christine Gilliam at Everyone’s ENT & Sinus Center in San Antonio, TX wants to help you understand the difference.
Tonsillitis is a condition in which a child’s tonsils, located at the back of the throat, become inflamed. Your child can get tonsillitis from a viral or bacterial infection like strep throat. Tonsillitis can affect young children and teenagers. Common signs and symptoms to look for include:
- Swollen, red tonsils
- A white coating on your child’s tonsils
- Sore throat and difficulty swallowing
- Fever and swollen lymph nodes
- A hoarse or scratchy voice
- Chronic bad breath
- A headache or stiff neck
Very young children can also experience a pain in the stomach, drooling, lack of appetite and fussiness. If you suspect your child might have tonsillitis, you should seek out Dr. Gilliam. She may recommend:
- Antibiotic medications for less severe cases of tonsillitis
- Surgical removal of tonsils for recurrent or severe tonsillitis
Surgical removal of the tonsils, known as a tonsillectomy is the one sure way to prevent recurrent, chronic tonsillitis. A tonsillectomy is performed in the operating room and your child will go home the same day. Before the procedure your child will receive a sedative medication and then be placed under general anesthesia in the operating room. The tonsillectomy procedure takes about 30 minutes with recovery time requiring an average of between 1 and 4 hours.
There are many helpful things you and your child can do to prevent tonsillitis. Remember to have your child:
- Wash their hands frequently and thoroughly several times a day
- Avoid sharing utensils, glasses, food and beverages with others
- Use a new toothbrush after an illness, especially tonsillitis
- Cover their mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing
For more detailed information about tonsillitis and other common pediatric conditions, please visit the pediatric ENT page on the website at http://www.everyonesent.com/pediatric-ent.html
Tonsillitis is painful, and can lead to other chronic medical problems. If your child has tonsillitis, don’t delay. Instead, call Dr. Gilliam at Everyone’s ENT & Sinus Center in San Antonio, TX. Get some help for your child by calling today!