- NICU Visitor Restrictions
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The Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at Riley Hospital for Children and IU Health Methodist Hospital are putting visitor restrictions in place starting Monday, Nov. 18th. Only visits by parents plus four designated adults identified by the parents will be allowed on the NICU floor.
Siblings and children under 18 will not be permitted. These restrictions minimize risk of infection to patients already at risk and will be in place through spring 2020.
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
Conditions related to tonsils and adenoids include recurrent sore throat and tonsil infections (tonsillitis).
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.
Treatments
Treatments
If your child has a sore throat caused by a viral infection (the most common cause), only supportive treatment (for pain and fever, for example) is required and the condition will usually run its course in five to seven days. A sore throat caused by a bacterial infection often requires an antibiotic to fight the infection.
If your child has tonsillitis caused by a viral infection, the doctor will not prescribe antibiotics but will encourage at-home care for the condition. Doctors at Riley at IU Health recommend the following at-home care measures to help ease tonsillitis:
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink water, clear broths and caffeine-free teas
- Provide a saltwater gargle
- Humidify the air (ask your child's doctor about humidifier guidelines, as they can spread germs if not properly used)
- Offer lozenges for children over 5 years old
- Ask your child’s doctor how to best treat pain and fever
If your child has tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotic medicine to fight the infection.
If your child's doctor prescribes an antibiotic to treat a sore throat or tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, it is important that your child follow the prescription and finish taking the round of antibiotics, even if symptoms disappear before the course of treatment is over.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- The two main conditions related to tonsils and adenoids in children are chronic sore throat and tonsillitis.
- If your child’s tonsil or adenoid condition is caused by a viral infection, the doctor will not prescribe medicine. If the condition is caused by a bacterial infection, your child may need to take antibiotics.
- Diagnosis of any tonsil or adenoid condition begins with your child’s doctor closely examining the tonsils and throat and checking the neck for swollen glands
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the trusted websites below for more information and support for pediatric tonsil and adenoid conditions.
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
Read more about the tonsils, adenoids and conditions that can affect them on the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website.
Tonsils & Adenoids Research
Tonsils & Adenoids Research
The Ear, Nose & Throat Department at Riley at IU Health is currently involved in research related to the tonsils and adenoids. Ask your child's doctor for more information about these studies and participation in clinical trials.