Symptoms
A person with tonsillitis will frequently experience a sore throat and may notice swelling or redness of the tonsils. There may be white patches in the throat, a fever, bad breath, or swelling of lymph nodes in the neck. Signs of a more serious infection include changes in voice, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty opening the mouth.
Treatment
At our ear, nose and throat offices in Danbury, Ridgefield, New Milford, Norwalk, and Southbury we treat both children and adults for tonsillitis. Treatment of tonsillitis typically includes rest, hydration, and antibiotics if the infection is bacterial. A tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, is considered when there are recurrent infections, or when there a child has a snoring problem with signs of sleep apnea. Surgery is performed under anesthesia, typically as an outpatient, with a one to two week recovery period.
If you or your child is having recurring tonsillitis, or suspect your child may have sleep apnea, visit one of our ENT offices in Fairfield County, CT and let an ear, nose and throat specialist help you with diagnosis and recommended treatment options.