How Much Do You Know About Tonsils and Adenoids?

Although you can see your tonsils when you open your mouth wide, you can't see your adenoids. They are behind your nose. Your healthcare provider can see them by using a flexible lighted tool.

Tonsils and adenoids are lymph nodes, similar to those found elsewhere in your body. Their job is to block bacteria or viruses that enter the body through your mouth or nose. They also make antibodies to fight infection.

Because they block invading bacteria and viruses, tonsils and adenoids sometimes become infected themselves. Frequent infections of the tonsils (tonsillitis) can cause enlarged tonsils. People without tonsils can still get a sore throat, but symptoms may be worse in someone with tonsils. Adenoids can also become infected. Infections that keeping coming back can cause enlarged adenoids. This can lead to breathing problems, especially at night.

Tonsillitis occurs most often in children, although adults can get it. Tonsils and adenoids play less of a role in fighting infection after about age 3. Tonsils tend to get smaller after ages 8 to 12.

Other possible symptoms include tonsils that are redder than usual, tonsils that appear to have a white or yellow coating, painful swallowing, and a raspy voice because of the swelling, the AAO-HNS says. Bad breath without the other symptoms is quite common. It does not mean an infection. Tonsillitis may affect one or both tonsils. Call your child's healthcare provider if your child has a combination of these symptoms.

Other symptoms include a voice that sounds as though the nose is stuffy and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means breathing stops momentarily during sleep. Call your child's healthcare provider if your child has these symptoms. Without a sore throat and fever, these symptoms don't mean an adenoid infection. Snoring, ear infections, and mouth breathing may be caused by allergies. Noisy breathing may be caused by nasal congestion or asthma.

Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. In adults with mononucleosis, steroids may be prescribed to ease swelling of the tonsils and adenoids.

Tonsillectomies were once nearly routine for children with tonsillitis. But antibiotics are now the preferred treatment. Rapid strep tests allow doctors to tell right away whether the problem is a bacterial infection (almost solely caused by streptococcus bacteria) or a viral infection. The leading cause of sore throats is viral and should not be treated with antibiotics, the AAO-HNS says. Tonsils or adenoids may be taken out if a child has had at least 7 infections in 1 year and the tonsils or adenoids are causing breathing difficulties. These include snoring during sleep, sleep apnea, or intermittent obstruction. Infections that keep coming back also may affect the eustachian tube. This can cause ear infections and possibly hearing loss. A child who has had his or her tonsils or adenoids removed is not at greater risk for infection. Other parts of the body's immune system step in to give protection.