Chronic Tonsillitis
Chronic Tonsillitis is defined as frequent or recurrent tonsil infections. The tonsils are a pair of soft tissues that are located in the back of the throat and serve as part of our immune system. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include a sore throat, white/yellow patches called exudate on the tonsils, difficulty swallowing, fever, changes in your voice, and enlargement or tenderness in the glands (lymph nodes) in the neck.
Tonsillitis can be caused from both viruses and bacteria and thereafter need to be treated properly depending on the source of the infection. If tonsil infections become recurrent, cause complications, or do not respond to typical medical treatments, surgical removal may be indicated which is called a tonsillectomy. A primary care physician or pediatrician may refer you in these cases to an ENT specialist to discuss the risks and benefits of surgical removal.