Everybody's heard of tonsils. But not everyone knows what tonsils do in the body or why they may need to be removed. Knowing the facts can help alleviate the fears of both parents and children facing a tonsillectomy.
Tonsils are glandular tissue located on both sides of the throat.
The tonsils trap bacteria and viruses entering through the throat and produce antibodies to help fight infections. You can usually see the tonsils by looking in your child's throat using a flashlight. Tonsillitis occurs when tonsils become infected and swell. If your child has persistent or recurring tonsillitis, your pediatrician may suggest that they be removed. Children do not suffer from more infections without their tonsils - other tissues in the body function the same as tonsils do, producing sufficient antibodies to fight infection.