Tonsils & Adenoids

A recurrent sore throat involves chronic (long-lasting) pain and scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often gets worse when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, like the cold or flu. Sore throats caused by viral infections heal on their own with at-home care. Other causes of sore throat—such as streptococcal (strep) infection—require prescribed medicine from the doctor. Other symptoms of a sore throat include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry throat
• Sore, swollen glands in the neck or jaw
• Swollen, red tonsils
• White patches on the tonsils
• Hoarse or muffled voice

Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils are inflamed. Usually, a viral infection causes tonsillitis. More rarely, a bacterial infection can cause tonsillitis. Common symptoms of tonsillitis include:

• Red, swollen tonsils
• Sore throat
• White or yellow patches on the tonsils
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever
• Tender glands (lymph nodes) on the sides of the neck
• Stomachache or headache

Diagnosis of Pediatric Tonsil & Adenoid Conditions

If your child’s doctor suspects a sore throat or tonsillitis, he or she will use a lighted instrument to examine the throat, ears and nasal passages to check for signs of infection. The doctor will closely examine the tonsils and throat and check the neck for swollen glands. He or she may also listen to your child's breathing with a stethoscope and may also use a sterile swab to take a sample of secretions from the back of the throat to check for strep throat. The doctor will likely check for a rash called scarlatina (Scarlet fever), which is sometimes associated with strep throat.