Tonsils

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue like lymph glands that produce cells to fight infection. Reasons, still not clear to us, are sometimes the cause of infections. Tonsillitis can present with a sore throat, fever, tiredness, halitosis (foul breath), inability to eat and ear pain.

A GP will assess if anti–biotic is needed during acute infections. If they are very enlarged they can also cause obstruction while sleeping. So it is very important to keep a diary of how many episodes of infection the patient has had as this will assist the ENT to see if you qualify for a tonsillectomy or to take a video of the patient sleeping in case of suspected sleep apnea.

A tonsillectomy is done under general anaesthetic. In children the patient goes home the same day but adults often spend one night in hospital.