Would u see ENT for tonsil removal ( 8yo)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone , still not sure what to do lol. She has a regular birthday check up in the summer. I’ll ask the doc then what he thinks. My logic for asking on hers before asking an ENT was I feel like an ENT might say yes she needs them removed, because that’s what they do right? She did have her adenoids out at 2 because of snoring. Breathing at night definitely improved after that. To the PP that says it’s a minor sore throat.... it’s minor in the grand scheme of kid issues but it’s still a hassle. 4-5 days of fever, no school , canceled activities etc.... 2-3 times a year. With Covid it’s been even worse, Covid test 4 times since last March. 2 were the up one you’d brain ones that were awful for her. Quarantining “ just in case” until the results come in.

[Anonymous]

I think your pediatrician can give you better unbiased advice than anonymous people here.

[Anonymous]

I would do an ENT consult for sure, but don’t go in with the perception that the ENT is only for surgery. My DD was referred from pediatrician to ENT for frequent step throat infections. ENT said - no way would he do surgery. ENT referred DD to infectious control doctor. He put her on a really strong antibiotic and we never had another case of strep throat in about 10 years. ENT doesn’t always want to do surgery.

[Anonymous]

OP, ENT won't do surgery unless it is indicated, which a PP described (7+ infections in last year, etc.). It doesn't sound like your DC meets the criteria and I expect the ENT would just tell you surgery is not indicated. I'd talk to your pediatrician to see if there is anything preventative you might do, such as gargling with salt water, vitamins, more handwashing, etc. But I agree 2-3 infections a year is not too bad.

[Anonymous]

My ds had strep 8 times in one calendar year, two ENTs said no to tonsil removal. He was then on a rotating course of antibiotics (Zithromax for 7 days then amoxicillin for 3 weeks) for 6 months because his strep antibodies were too high and it was causing neurological issues...they still had him keep his tonsils.

You can ask the ped at the next visit, but a few random viruses that aren’t even strep aren’t likely to warrant removal, and tonsil removal won’t prevent a sore throat. Tonsils don’t hurt, it’s the surrounding throat tissue that causes pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ds had strep 8 times in one calendar year, two ENTs said no to tonsil removal. He was then on a rotating course of antibiotics (Zithromax for 7 days then amoxicillin for 3 weeks) for 6 months because his strep antibodies were too high and it was causing neurological issues...they still had him keep his tonsils.

You can ask the ped at the next visit, but a few random viruses that aren’t even strep aren’t likely to warrant removal, and tonsil removal won’t prevent a sore throat. Tonsils don’t hurt, it’s the surrounding throat tissue that causes pain.

Wow, you saw two terrible ENTs.

[Anonymous]

No. 2-3 sore throats a year is not a lot. You get them out when it’s more like strep, antibiotics, fine for two weeks, strep again for a year. Same with ear infections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My ds had strep 8 times in one calendar year, two ENTs said no to tonsil removal. He was then on a rotating course of antibiotics (Zithromax for 7 days then amoxicillin for 3 weeks) for 6 months because his strep antibodies were too high and it was causing neurological issues...they still had him keep his tonsils.

You can ask the ped at the next visit, but a few random viruses that aren’t even strep aren’t likely to warrant removal, and tonsil removal won’t prevent a sore throat. Tonsils don’t hurt, it’s the surrounding throat tissue that causes pain.

Wow, you saw two terrible ENTs.

But I’m not so sure I did. That was almost 10 years ago and he still has his tonsils and has only had strep once since then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD gets 2-3 sore throats a year. It’s been strep a couple of times but usually not. She gets a sore throat and fever, lethargic, no appetite. It lasts a few days then she starts getting better. Would having tonsils removed help? They are red each time.

Seriously you are asking social media about surgery for your child?

OP talk first to your pediatrician than to an ENT.

This. OP you’re insane. Tonsils removed for a sore throat?? No. Recurrent strep is a different issue. Do you enjoy inflicting pain on your kids? Because recovery from tonsillectomy is no fun.

[Anonymous]

Glad I had my tonsils out in the 3rd grade. I had tonsils removed and tubes put in my ears at the same time.
Would hate to deal with this as an adult. Tonsil stones sound like a pita.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad I had my tonsils out in the 3rd grade. I had tonsils removed and tubes put in my ears at the same time.
Would hate to deal with this as an adult. Tonsil stones sound like a pita.

I remember having a sore dry throat after the procedure but started to subside after a couple of days. Less painful for kids than adults. Heard really painful for adults.

[Anonymous]

My son had his tonsils and adenoids out at age 7. His were massively enlarged and causing loud snoring and he was also getting recurring ear infections. All of that stopped immediately once surgery was completed.

The ENT looked in his throat for about 5 seconds and said yes those need to come out. My pediatrician did not refer me by the way. They kind of blew me off when I mentioned it so I went on my own.

So yes go to an ENT and see what they say. No harm in doing that.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would get them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD gets 2-3 sore throats a year. It’s been strep a couple of times but usually not. She gets a sore throat and fever, lethargic, no appetite. It lasts a few days then she starts getting better. Would having tonsils removed help? They are red each time.

Seriously you are asking social media about surgery for your child?

OP talk first to your pediatrician than to an ENT.

This. OP you’re insane. Tonsils removed for a sore throat?? No. Recurrent strep is a different issue. Do you enjoy inflicting pain on your kids? Because recovery from tonsillectomy is no fun.

this, 100%

Do you realize that general anesthesia alone comes with 1 in 10,000 chance of death for pediatric patients. Why would you do that just in the hopes that your kid might not have a sore throat a couple times a year?

[Anonymous]

OP 3 of my kids have had various ENT surgeries at Georgetown. This isn’t something to be taken lightly. You dc is well below the threshold for where Georgetown will perform a tonsillectomy. My dc had them out for sleep apnea but we still went through the various pre-op appts.