Constant tonsillitis in 1 year old

[Lee1991]

Hi all - a very anxious mum here.

My 13 month old boy is currently on his sixth round of antibiotics in the last 6 weeks and all for bacterial tonsillitis. He has been so poorly with the tonsillitis- we’ve had multiple trips to A&E, sleepless nights, vomiting and being off his food.

Most recently he did a 10 day course of penicillin (finally found the best antibiotic for him) and he seemed well for a few days but 5 days after finishing the antibiotics the tonsillitis is back.

We had a private ENT appointment and they said they would remove his tonsils even though he’s just turned 1 but the risk of bleeding is higher in this age group. Shaving of the tonsils was mentioned but the consultant didn’t really advise it for recurring tonsillitis.

I feel really desperate. I feel like our options are either keeping him on antibiotics consistently until he is a bit older or do we bite the bullet and have them removed? If anyone has any advice I would be so grateful.

Thank you.

No advice really but can’t they do a swab test to find out exactly what strain it is he has? Also maybe he needs a longer course to nip it in the bud. 14 days?

Sounds like he will ultimately need his tonsils removed. One of my dc had this but when in reception. From memory the hospital said there was a minimum weight before they would operate.

@Lanifers thanks for the reply! We’re waiting back on a swab result. Good idea around 14 days, will give that a try.

He is just over the minimum weight so they can technically remove them - I just think 1 years old is too young - I feel like being 2 is much better than 1. But then I don’t like the idea of permanent antibiotics either!

My son suffers tonsillitis every winter , the winter when he was 1 was the worst but come the summer he was fine and he's 3 now and this past winter he only had one dose of it. I'd ask about the longer course of antibiotics and maybe see how you go over the summer

@romdowa thanks for your reply. This is true, perhaps it will get better in the summer. I just wish he could get even a week’s break in between bouts!