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Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is one of the most common illnesses affecting children and teenagers and can cause a lot of pain and suffering.

Most children have tonsillitis at some point between the ages of two and eight years. Dr. Gayle Woodson, professor of otolaryngology at SIU School of Medicine and director of the Voice Center in Springfield says tonsillitis is an inflammation in the back of the throat.

SOUND BITE: “. . . if it happens occasionally, they’re sick for a few days, they may miss school and ah it’s almost part of growing up. But if the tonsils become somehow chronically infected, if they have numerous infections through the years, it can really cause a lot of pain, suffering . . .”

Woodson says symptoms for tonsillitis include fever, loss of appetite and noisy breathing. Swollen, enlarged tonsils can cause snoring and sleep apnea in children. She explains some treatment options.

SOUND BITE: “. . . for occasional tonsillitis, you can just manage it by treating with antibiotics to relieve symptoms. If there is a bacterial infection, it will get better with antibiotics. Surgery is reserved for those children who just have numerous infections, say more than three a year for several years, if they have several infections over the course of six months.”

Dr. Woodson says if a child or adult has tonsillitis, it is very important to see a primary care physician for evaluation and possible treatment.