tonsillitis: how often before they remove them?

[KathG]

My DD is having her 2nd really bad tonsillitis in less than 2 months (so delirious she didn't know who I was) and completely unable to swallow. She will have had it at least 5 times this year. How bad does it have to get?? (she is nearly 5)

Hi

My DS had tonsillitis 3 times in 9 weeks around the time he turned 5, the last time being the worst (he was poorly for about 2 weeks) and I did ask the doctor how bad it had to be. One said that if you had 3 bouts over the winter (why on the winter I don't know as DS's bouts were in the summer) for 3 years in a row they might consider removing tonsils. Another said that he would grow out of it as children's tonsils are relatively big compared to their size and they get better proportioned by the time they reach 7 or 8. He has had it once since so maybe that is right.

I don't think that they take them out lightly these days and there has to be a serious amount of time off school before they consider it. But on the other hand I got two different opinions so maybe it depends on your GP.

Are you taking her to the GP and getting anti-b's or not bothering? I have to say that I don't think they made that much difference to us but DS wasn't very good at taking them and it was a struggle. Perhaps ask what your GP's policy is next time you are there.

I had it 18 times when I was little before they were taken out - once a month pretty much. I think they were taken out more routinely then though. Luckily none of my children have had to endure it!

I imagine she'd have to have it a few more times before they consider it.

My DS2 had repeated tonsilitus aged about 2 till 9. His tonsils were enormous in his throat even when not infected. He was referred to hospital but they refused to remove them. He is now 17 but his tonsils are still large and he still gets bouts of tonsilitus. The last was during his GCSEs earlier this year which was very bad. He ended up with a secondary condition(sorry cant remember what it was called!!!)which left him with very painful lumps on his shins and odema in his ankles. He found walking painful. Hospital said it was a known complication of a severe strep infection and it could recur. I am just saying don't assume they will grow out of it because they may not. Thankfully he still did well in his exams but to remove tonsils as an adult is much more difficult and the dr he saw for his legs asked why they had not been removed when he was younger

Does tonsillitis usually start in older kids? Asking because dd is nearly 1, and has Grade 4 tonsils (she's under ENT care for Laryngomalacia, so I get toknow these things ) so I imagine is at higher risk of having a bad time with it.

I've also heard that difficulty sleeping (sleep apnoea), swallowing, etc are reasons for tonsillectomy. I'm hoping dd will 'grow into' hers, but the more info I have the better, just in case.

Kath, I hope your dd is all well now, poor love

Thanks for all your notes - the decision is to take them out (each bout has got more serious) 6 times this year, and I got very close to calling an ambulance the last time. In the interim she is to have ab the moment we think its starting. (I had mine out finally at 35).

my son yesterday had his tonsils taken out along with his adnoids. Was not pretty at all but hopefully he and i should stop having to take time off.

Go to the docots every time to get it logged and pester to see an ent specialist. I went a few times as it went up in to his ears, nose and he was poorly and they agreed as they were kissing each other.