Tonsillitis & Ear Infections

Tonsils and adenoids are lymph tissues in the back of your throat. The tonsils are on both sides and the adenoids are behind your nose and the roof of your mouth. Common problems in these areas include chronic infections and enlargement.

Tonsillitis

• Tonsillitis may be acute or chronic. It is a viral or bacterial infection of the tonsils, with symptoms of a sore throat and fever. Strep throat is a form of tonsillitis that can result in heart valve and kidney damage if not treated promptly.

Enlargement

• When tonsils and adenoids become enlarged, they can obstruct breathing and result in snoring and disruptive sleep patterns. In addition, enlarged adenoids can create a nasally sounding voice.

Ear Infections

• Both tonsillitis and enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids can lead to ear infections. Swelling can obstruct the eustachian tubes, allowing fluid to collect in the middle ear.

Treatment

• Tonsillitis, infected adenoids and ear infections can be treated with antibiotics if the infection is bacterial. If it is caused by a virus, the treatment is proper hydration and medication to control the fever.

Surgery

• If infections are persistent or chronic, a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) or adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoids) might be recommended. Myringotomy is the surgical procedure of placing tubes in the ears to allow drainage of fluid.