Test Your Knowledge

Preparing questions in advance can help patients and parents have more meaningful discussions with physicians regarding their or their child’s treatment options. The following questions related to tonsillitis may be helpful:

1. What symptoms indicate my child has tonsillitis and not just a sore throat?
   
   
2. I think my child has tonsillitis. Do we need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist?
   
   
3. What kind of tests need to be performed to identify whether my child’s tonsillitis is viral or bacterial? Will these tests be painful?
   
   
4. In what cases should my child be treated with antibiotics?
   
   
5. If my child won’t be treated with antibiotics, what can I do to make him/her more comfortable during the course of the infection?
   
   
6. Would you recommend certain over-the-counter pain relievers for my child? What are their side effects? Are there any I should not give my child? Why?
   
   
7. What change in my child’s symptoms should I be concerned about? In those cases, should I take my child to the emergency room or call you?
   
   
8. I had my tonsils out when I was a child. Why isn’t this surgery recommended anymore?
   
   
9. My child has had several episodes of tonsillitis. At what point would you recommend a tonsillectomy?
   
   
10. Is it important for my child to keep his tonsils? Why?
    
    
11. I think my child’s tonsils are very large. At what size do they become a problem?