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Most children with tonsillitis and adenoiditis experience dramatic symptom relief after treatment, which may include medications and surgery. Tonsillitis and adenoiditis occur when infection-fighting tissue in the throat and behind the nose, respectively, become enlarged for various reasons.

If needed, our doctors refer you to specialists who can treat your child for conditions, such as allergies, that may be causing the enlarged tonsils or adenoid tissue. Specialists at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at ºÙºÙÊÓƵ can also teach your child the importance of using medication as directed to get the most benefit out of this type of treatment.

We also offer child and family support services and resilience programs provided by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.

Controlling Allergies

Allergies to substances found in the air or in foods are a common cause of enlarged adenoid tissue and can cause other symptoms, such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. If your child has severe allergy symptoms, even after using an over-the-counter allergy medication, our doctors may refer your child to an allergy specialist. These doctors can determine what your child is allergic to and may recommend treatment, such as immunotherapy—commonly known as allergy shots.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

In some children, chronically swollen adenoid tissue and tonsils lead to sleep apnea, a condition that causes snoring and frequent gasping for breath during sleep. Our doctors may recommend temporary treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

The child wears a CPAP mask to bed; it delivers pressurized air to prevent the throat from collapsing during sleep. This allows your child to sleep better until he or she can have surgery to remove some or all of the enlarged tonsils and adenoid tissue.