Inflamed third tonsil

What is an inflamed third tonsil?

Adenoiditis, also called inflamed third tonsil, is inflammation of the adenoids. They are very similar to the tonsils and are located in the space above the nasopharynx and are not visible from the mouth or nose. The lymph tissue that the adenoids are made of helps fight infection. Adenoids cause problems if they become enlarged or inflamed.

What are the symptoms of an inflamed third tonsil?

Symptoms vary depending on the cause of the infection and can appear suddenly or gradually. Although they can manifest differently in each child, the most common symptoms are:

• Breathing through the mouth;
• Snoring;
• Speaking through the nose;
• Sleep apnea – breathing stops briefly during sleep;
• Noisy breathing;

Symptoms may resemble those of other diseases or conditions. Always consult your child’s pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis.

Adenoiditis Treatment

Specific treatment will be determined by your child’s pediatrician based on:

• His age, general health and presence of previous diseases;
• Prevalence of infection;
• Type of infection;
• Tolerance of the child to certain medications, procedures or therapies;
• Prognosis for the development of the infection;
• Your opinion or preferred method of treatment;

Conventional therapy , which is administered with antibiotics. However, if your child has frequent infections involving the ears and sinuses, or antibiotics fail to control the infections or breathing problems persist, surgery to remove the adenoids may be necessary. This procedure is called an adenoidectomy.

The pediatrician may recommend that the tonsils be removed at the same time as the adenoids, since adenoid infections most often involve the tonsils. The operation to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy.

Therefore, you and your child’s doctor should discuss all the pros and cons of surgery.

What happens during adenoidectomy?

The operation is performed by a surgeon specializing in ears, nose and throat. It is done under general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient surgery center, which means your child will be put to sleep. Tonsils and adenoids are removed through the mouth, so no additional incisions are made, except in the tissues where the removal takes place. Most patients can go home after the procedure, but you can expect your child to be monitored for 4-5 hours after surgery. Your doctor can give you more specific advice about what to expect based on your child’s needs.

Recovery from adenoidectomy

After surgery, your child may feel nauseous as the anesthetic wears off. In the week after the operation, the child may have the following complaints:

• Sore throat – your child’s throat may be sore for seven to ten days after the procedure and this may cause discomfort when eating;
• Fever – your child may have a slight fever a few days after surgery. If the temperature becomes higher than 38 degrees, consult the pediatrician. Seek medical attention if the fever is accompanied by other symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, vomiting or a stiff neck.

Mouth breathing – your child may start breathing through the mouth and snore due to swelling of the throat. Breathing should return to normal after the swelling goes down, usually 10 to 14 days after surgery. Get medical help if your child has trouble breathing.