Sore Throat: Tonsils and Adenoids/Pain
Tonsils are located on the back of the throat. Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.
These two organs catch incoming germs, which can cause infection. Occasionally when they "sample" bacteria and viruses, they can become infected. Scientists believe they work as part of the body's immune system and filter out germs attempting to invade the body. It is also thought that they help to develop antibodies to fight the germs. This happens primarily when children are young, becoming less important as we get older. Children who have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss in their resistance
Problems Requiring Treatment
Common problems affecting tonsils and adenoids include recurrent infections (throat or ear) and enlargement or obstruction that causes breathing and swallowing problems. Abscesses around the tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, and infections of small pockets within the tonsils that produce foul-smelling, cheese-like formations can also affect the tonsils and adenoids, making them and swollen. While tumors are rare, they can grow on the tonsils.
- Redder than normal tonsils
- White or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Slight voice change due to swelling
- Sore throat
- Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
- Fever
- Bad breath
Enlarged Adenoids Symptoms
If adenoids are enlarged, it may be hard to breathe through the nose. Other signs of constant enlargement include:
- Frequent breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Nose sounds "blocked" when a person speaks
- Noisy breathing during the day
- Recurrent ear infections
- Snoring
- Breathing that stops for a few seconds at night during snoring (sleep apnea)