Tonsils

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue like lymph glands that produce cells to fight infection. They are part of a chain of lymphoid tissue so not the only line of defence. It is still unclear to science why tonsil infections happen and start making the patient ill. Acute tonsillitis can present with a severe sore throat, fever, extreme tiredness, halitosis (foul breath), inability to eat and ear pain. Chronic tonsillitis is more subtle and long lasting and presents with mild sore throat and discomfort, tonsil stones, bad breath and often swollen glands.

Sometimes it is more the size of the tonsils causing a problem and can lead to 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 they qualify for a tonsillectomy. Or if size is more the issue, 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.