If your child seems to get sore throats over and over again, it can be difficult to know whether it is just another infection or something that should be evaluated more closely.
Frequent tonsillitis, repeated strep throat, and recurring throat infections can affect eating, sleeping, school attendance, and everyday comfort.
Children can develop sore throats for several reasons, including viral infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, allergies, post nasal drainage, and irritation.
When sore throats happen repeatedly, the pattern becomes important. An ENT may look at how often the episodes occur, how severe they are, and whether they are affecting your child's daily life.
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are located on both sides of the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis may be caused by a virus or bacteria.
Not always.
Tonsillitis simply means the tonsils are inflamed. Strep throat is an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and can involve the tonsils and surrounding throat.
A rapid strep test or throat culture may be used when a bacterial infection is suspected.
Recurrent tonsillitis means a child continues to experience repeated episodes of tonsil or throat infection over time.
Keeping track of how often infections happen can be useful, especially if your child repeatedly misses school or requires medical treatment.
Helpful tip for parents: keep a simple record of the date of each throat infection, whether strep testing was positive, whether fever occurred, and what treatment was given.
There is not one number that automatically means every child should have their tonsils removed.
Current ENT guidelines recommend watchful waiting for many children who have fewer than seven documented throat infections within one year, fewer than five per year over two years, or fewer than three per year over three years.
For children with more frequent documented infections, tonsillectomy may be considered depending on the symptoms, test results, medical history, and other factors.
An ENT evaluation may be helpful if:
Yes. Some children have enlarged tonsils in addition to recurring infections.
Large tonsils can contribute to snoring, difficulty swallowing, restless sleep, and obstructed breathing during sleep.
Learn more about enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children.
A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils.
It may be considered for certain children with frequent documented throat infections or significant airway problems related to enlarged tonsils.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines generally support watchful waiting when infections occur less often than seven episodes in one year, five per year for two years, or three per year for three years. Surgery may be considered when documented infections meet or exceed those levels, particularly when episodes include findings such as fever, swollen neck lymph nodes, tonsil drainage, or a positive strep test. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="0"}
No.
Many children improve over time without surgery. The decision depends on how often infections occur, how severe they are, how well they are documented, and how much they affect the child's health and daily life.
Certain circumstances can also change the recommendation, such as multiple antibiotic allergies, specific recurring fever syndromes, or a history of repeated complications from tonsil infections. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}
The ENT may review:
The throat and tonsils will also be examined to help determine whether continued monitoring or additional treatment may be appropriate.
If your child keeps getting sore throats, tonsillitis, or strep infections, Glatz Group can evaluate the tonsils and help determine whether additional ENT care may be needed.
Learn more about our ENT care for children in McAllen and our throat care services.
Does your child keep getting sore throats or tonsil infections?
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