How do you know if you may need to get your tonsils removed?

Question

I have been having really bad throat pains in the past couple days and now I'm at the point where if I talk I feel like I can't breathe. At first I just thought I had a bad sore throat, but now I'm starting to worry. It's hard to drink and/or eat at times. What do you think? Thanks for any and all help!

Answer 1

You should call your doctor. You may have Strep throat which will need antibiotics and is communicable. Only a doctor can tell you if you need a tonsillectomy and she needs to examine your throat to do that.

Here's what is said about tonsillectomyies at this web site:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Tonsillectomy-for-strep-throat

Tonsillectomy for strep throat
A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. The adenoids may or may not be removed at the same time. Adenoidectomy is not discussed in this topic. For more information, see the topic Ear Infections.

Children whose tonsils are removed for recurrent throat infections may have fewer and less severe strep throat infections for at least 2 years. However, over time, many children who do not have surgery also have fewer throat infections.

A general anesthetic is always used to sedate a child having a tonsillectomy. Adults may require only a local anesthetic to numb the throat.

What To Expect After Surgery
The surgery may be done as outpatient surgery or, occasionally, during an overnight hospital stay.

A very sore throat usually follows a tonsillectomy and may last for several days. This may affect the sound and volume of the person's voice and his or her ability to eat and drink. The person may also have bad-smelling breath for a few days after surgery. There is a very small risk of bleeding after surgery.

A child having a tonsillectomy may feel "out of sorts" for a period of a week to 10 days. But if the child is feeling well enough, there is no need to restrict his or her activity or to keep the child at home after the first few days.

Why It Is Done
A tonsillectomy may be done in the following cases:1

A person has recurring episodes of tonsillitis in a single year despite antibiotic treatment.
Abscesses of the tonsils do not respond to drainage, or an abscess is present in addition to other indications for a tonsillectomy.
A persistent foul odor or taste in the mouth is caused by tonsillitis and does not respond to antibiotic treatment.
A biopsy is needed to evaluate a suspected tumor of the tonsil.
Large tonsils are not a reason to have a tonsillectomy unless they are causing one of the above problems or they are blocking the upper airway, which may cause sleep apnea or problems with eating.

How Well It Works
Children whose tonsils are removed for recurrent throat infections may have fewer and less severe strep throat infections for at least 2 years. However, over time, children who do not have their tonsils removed may also have fewer infections.

Risks
Normal or expected risks of tonsillectomy include some bleeding after surgery. This is common, especially when the healed scab over the cut area falls off.

Less common or rare risks include:

More serious bleeding.
Anesthetic complications.
Death after surgery (very rare).
What To Think About
When you are trying to decide whether to have the tonsils removed, you might want to think about:

How much time a child is missing from school because of throat infections.
How much stress and inconvenience the illness has on the family.
The risks of surgery must also be weighed against the risks of leaving the tonsils in. In some cases of persistent strep throat infections, especially if there are other complications, surgery may be the best choice.

Answer 2

Ok, first things first- you need to go see your doctor. You could have any number of things- a bad sinus infection, strep throat, or tonsilitis. In which case, you need antibiotics to make the infection go away. Usually they don't take your tonsils out unless you get tonsilitis 4 or more times a year. You probably need a good dose of antibiotics. . .go see your doctor. If you look in the mirror with a flash light and open you mouth - look in your throat if you see lumps that are white and pussy looking you most definitely have an infection. Go to the doctor.

Answer 3

Tonsil removal occurs if you have had recurring strep throat or constantly enlarged tonsils.
It sounds like your tonsils may be enlarged, but it also sounds like your throat is swollen in general. This could be related so many different health issues or even allergic reactions.
In any case, it is important that you see a doctor. Any problem with your airway could rapidly get worse and become an emergent situation.
So, go to the doctor, tell him what you are experiencing.

Answer 4

No. Unless you have been diagnosed with tonsillitis and have had to take antibiotics several times during the past year, they will not remove your tonsils. These are important in fighting infection so you need to keep them if possible. Also, most sore throats are viral in nature and have nothing to do with your tonsils.

Answer 5

you only get your tonsils removed if you regularly get bad throats, just one case of a really bad throat is not enough. I had tonsillitis almost every month since the age of about five and i was 12 when i get them removed.

But it sounds like what u have right now is tonsillitis, go to your doctor they should be able to give you antibiotics to help.

Answer 6

Does your throat have white patches or all white. There may be black and white patches. That is a very good sign of strep and you need to see a Dr asap. It can be caught by anyone close to you or by drinking after you. Or the biggest way of catching it is by kissing. But if you don't see spots and just major redness you still need to see the DR. you have another infection. Now your tonsils are in the rear and on the sides. And if they appear pitted or swollen you may have to get a tonsillectomy. I had one at the age of 37 and its not all that bad. Just a major sore throat and not able to eat anything but Ice Cream and pop cycles. But go see your DR ASAP or you may have greater problems later in life.

Answer 7

Go to the doctor. I got my tonsils removed when I was 23. They rarely remove your tonsils when you become an adult unless tonsilitis, which includes strep, makes you lose more than 2 weeks of work in a year. Its a cost-benefit issue. Let me warn you that my tonsilectomy was the worst pain ever. BAD! So only get them out if you have to. I never get bad sore throats anymore so I'm glad I did it now. :)

Answer 8

I know how badly you must feel. Some doctors use the information of how many cases of tonsillitis you have had, how many cases of Strep throat you have had, to form the criteris they need to take them out. If you are not a teen, you can request a referral to an ear,nose and throat specialist who can do this procedure for you.

Answer 9

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 10

I had mine removed at age 11, and it was because I had chronic strep throat. I would get on average 3 cases of strep throat per year during the winter months.

You should see your doctor. Your case sounds pretty serious.