Tonsillitis
The tonsils are two masses of lymphoid tissue located in the back of the throat. They collect bacteria and viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections and help produce proteins that help the body fight infections. Although the tonsils have a role in helping treat infection, they can also become part of the infection. When this happens, it is known as tonsillitis. When a child has reoccurring tonsillitis, removing the tonsils can improve a child’s health. Removing the tonsils does not increase infections or a loss of immune function since there are hundreds of other lymph nodes in the head and neck that perform the same function.
Signs and Symptoms
- A sore and inflamed throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Earache
- Enlarged and tender glands in the neck
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Poor weight gain
- Refusing to eat
When to See a Specialist
A pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist will help to determine whether a surgical procedure may be helpful for your child. You should see a specialist about tonsillitis if:
- Your child has chronic tonsillitis or frequent infections
- An abscess or collection of pus develops around the tonsils and needs to be drained
- If enlargement of only one tonsil occurs (this may be suggestive of a malignancy and needs to be removed for biopsy)
Meet Our Pediatric Tonsillitis Specialists
Thomas Andrews, MD
ENT/Otolaryngology
Dr. Andrews is a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He sees patients in the Brandon, Clearwater, Odessa, Sarasota, and Tampa locations of Pediatric Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Associates, PA and the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care location in St. Petersburg.
Peter Karempelis, MD
ENT/Otolaryngology
Dr. Karempelis is a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He sees patients in the Brandon, Clearwater, Odessa, Sarasota, and Tampa locations of Pediatric Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Associates, PA and the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care location in St. Petersburg.
Rose Trowbridge, MD
ENT/Otolaryngology
Dr. Trowbridge is a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She sees patients in the Brandon, Clearwater, Odessa, Sarasota, and Tampa locations of Pediatric Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Associates, PA and the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care location in St. Petersburg.
Kathleen Wasylik, MD
ENT/Otolaryngology
Dr. Wasylik is a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She sees patients in the Brandon, Clearwater, Odessa, Sarasota, and Tampa locations of Pediatric Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Associates, PA and the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care location in St. Petersburg.
Tampa Bay Area Locations
Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists provide surgery and services at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and its Outpatient Care Center in St. Petersburg. Find a specialist at one of these locations:
PHONE: 727-329-5400 FAX: 727-329-5401
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care St. Petersburg
601 5th Street South, Suite C740
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Brandon Office
10080 Balaye Run Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
Clearwater Office
1700 McMullen Booth Road, Suite B1
Clearwater, FL 33759
Odessa Office
14111 State Road 54
Odessa, FL 33556
Sarasota Office
5911 North Honore Avenue, Suite 116
Sarasota, FL 34243
Tampa Office
4726 North Habana Avenue, Suite 204
Tampa, FL 33614