Tonsil is the lymphoid tissue at the oropharynx. It can be seen in the back of the throat. It is the guard of our upper respiratory tract. Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, which is commonly caused by bacteria or virus.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Fever, sore throat, pain on swallowing are the common symptom of tonsillitis

Treatment of Tonsillitis

Treatment includes symptomatic treatment with medications to reduce the pain and the fever. Antibiotic will be prescribed in case of bacterial tonsillitis.

Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is the removal of tonsil. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The indications of the operation include repeated episodes of tonsillitis, recurrent peritonsillar abscess, sleep apnea. The morbidity rate associated with tonsillectomy is 2% to 4% due to post-operative bleeding. Patients need to stay in the hospital for one or two days after surgery. Sore throat will persist for around two weeks after the operation, and analgesic will be prescribed. Proper hydration is very important, as dehydration can increase throat pain, leading to a vicious circle of poor fluid intake. Recovery can take from 7 to 10 days, and patients are good to resume daily activities.

Removal of the tonsils does not reduce the immunity of the body in any significant way. There are many other lymphoid tissues that also perform the same function. There is enough scientific evidence to show that the immunity of the body does not reduce after a tonsillectomy.