Tonsillitis is very common in children, and most episodes clear on their own or with simple treatment. Some children, however, fall into a pattern of frequent or severe infections.
Dr Crawford asks about the number and severity of episodes, whether antibiotics have been required, time away from school and how the illness is affecting the child and family. Tonsil size alone does not determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Tonsillitis can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms can include a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever and swollen, tender glands in the neck, and the tonsils may look red and swollen. A cough or runny nose is more commonly associated with a viral upper respiratory infection, but symptoms alone do not always identify the cause.
When a child is frequently sick, the impact ripples through the entire family. It is not just about the medical symptoms; it is about the "lost days" of childhood.
For most children, an individual episode is managed with rest, fluids and pain relief. Antibiotics are not needed for every episode and are prescribed when clinically appropriate.
When recurrent tonsillitis is being assessed, Dr Crawford looks at the pattern of infections over time, including their frequency, severity, treatment needed and effect on the child and family.
Tonsillectomy may be considered when infections are frequent, severe or having a significant effect on school attendance and quality of life. Dr Crawford considers the pattern and severity of infections, treatment required and how the episodes affect the child and family.
If a decision is made to proceed, detail on the operation itself, its risks and what recovery involves is covered on the paediatric tonsillectomy page.
For paediatric ENT consultations, Dr Crawford sees children at Sydney ENT Clinic in Darlinghurst and Kogarah.
Dr Crawford sees children with recurrent tonsillitis and related conditions at Sydney ENT Clinic in Darlinghurst and Kogarah. Details of previous episodes, including how often they occur and any hospital or GP treatment, are helpful to bring to the appointment. A valid referral from your GP or another medical specialist is required to claim Medicare rebates.
Our team can assist with appointment enquiries and help arrange a consultation with Dr Julia Crawford at one of her three Sydney consulting locations:
Dr Julia Crawford consults for head and neck conditions, head and neck cancer, thyroid and salivary gland disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, paediatric ENT and selected general ENT problems.
Her team can assist with arranging an appointment at Darlinghurst, Kogarah or Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, and will help ensure the appropriate information and investigations are available before your consultation.