I think I have chronic viral tonsillitis. Is it worth getting them removed and what are my options?I am a 22 year old male who is currently suffering the 8th bout of viral tonsillitis in the last 2.5 years. every time the symptoms are identical, 102-103 fever, moderately painful tonsils for about a week. every time i've been to the doctor they do a strep and a mono test which always come back negative.
i have taken an open approach to this matter, always following any new lead that might explain why i am so prone to these infections, especially since they are the only sickness i ever contract. i have discussed the possibility of a compromised immune system, and structural abnormalities of my eustachian tubes and my sinuses with my doctors, but i did not have any of the indications of such.
i have also asked my doctor about getting my tonsils removed and he said it wouldn't improve the situation much. how could this be possible?
If i got sick like this maybe once a year i could understand the chance involved, but without fail, every 2 to 3 months i'm sick again. i am starting to get very impatient. i spend at least a month of every year sick. it has affected my grades in school, and cost me job opportunities and work hours.
as far as removal options, i heard that the traditional has a long and painful healing time and i am double majoring in two thought-intensive subjects(chem and physics) and i can't afford to be drugged up on painkillers. i've heard of the coblation and electro cautery techniques of which the electrocautery was reported to be less painful. I am located in central NJ so it would be appreciated to know any dr that offers these techniques in my area
Please let me know what you think. All suggestions are appreciated!
Khalida
i'm a 23 year old female and i had tonsillitis 5 times in 5 months with exactly the same symptoms as you. each month a fever of 103, accompanied by chills and the worst throat pain ever. i went to three different ENT's before one agreed to take out my tonsils for me. you should go for a second opinion ASAP because the first two ENT's i went to had both told me that getting my tonsils removed would not improve my situation much. most ENT's are skeptical about performing tonsillectomies on adults because while the surgery is a piece of cake, the recovery is AWFUL and there can be complications (that they don't want to be responsible for).
i had my tonsils removed on the 4th of march this year, and two weeks into my healing process one of my scabs opened up and i had to go back to the ER to get my wound recauterized.
i talked to my doctor about the different methods of getting my tonsils removed but he had told me that i would be forced to take pain killers regardless. unfortunately, at our age the process of healing is just difficult and you will need at least two weeks off.
i highly suggest that you do go for the surgery, especially if you keep getting sick. while the recovery sucked, now that it's over i'm glad that i won't be getting tonsillitis ever again!
i'm from new york and i went to the new york eye and ear infirmary in manhattan. since you're from new jersey, i highly suggest you check it out if you can get into the city! the ENT's over there are GREAT and they really know what they're doing.
good luck!
What do you think? Answer below! Tonsillitis explained | Better Health Channel
Links to information about tonsillitis , including tonsillectomy.
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