Symptoms of Tonsillitis or Adenoid Infection in Children
Many children develop tonsillitis and/or adenoid infections. A sore throat is the most common symptom. However, additional symptoms often coincide with a sore throat.
Adenoid infection and tonsillitis symptoms in children may include:
- Congestion
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes (in front portion of neck)
- Headache
- Muffled voice (or loss of voice)
- Abdominal pain
- Irritability
- Swollen, red tonsils (may include white spots—pus)
- Difficulty breathing through nose if adenoids are swollen
- Snoring at night
- Nasal-sounding voice
- Mouth breathing (inability to breathe through nose)
Chronic snoring in children is one symptom that should not be ignored. While it is common for most children to snore every once in a while, if the symptom persists, make sure that you take your child in to see an ENT specialist in Sydney. Many sleep disorders in children are caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils.
Without treatment, chronic tonsillitis can develop causing the tonsils to become scarred. At this point, the problem becomes resistant to antibiotics and infections occur more frequently. In many cases, ENT surgeons recommend that children with chronic tonsillitis have their tonsils and/or adenoids removed through a relatively simple surgery. When both tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time, the surgery is called an adenotonsillectomy. Removing the tonsils alone is called a tonsillectomy. Removal of only the adenoids is called an adenoidectomy.
After surgery, it is important to schedule a follow-up with your ear, nose and throat specialist to make sure that the healing process is going as intended. In addition, a recovery diet and pain management plan is also recommended that will help your child through the healing process. The end result will be elimination of the symptoms your child was experience before surgery. To learn more about options for your child, talk with a throat specialist in Sydney.