After a tonsillectomy, how can I mitigate the elevated risk of infections?

Doctor's Answers 1

Common indications for tonsillectomies include recurrent tonsil/upper respiratory infections or because the enlarged tonsils are blocking the airway. The tonsils are a bit like police stations which are supposed to help prevent and help control infections in the throat.

Unfortunately, the tonsils sometimes become so irritated/inflamed so much so that they then trigger infections in the throat and upper respiratory tract. So- for most patients- after you remove the tonsils; they have much fewer infections. They very rarely have elevated risks of infections.

In the acute postoperative setting after a tonsillectomy; you do have to be careful and make sure that you eat well, chew well and keep yourself hydrated as the main risk of tonsillectomies is post-operative bleeding with infection of the tonsillar fossa.

Good oral hygiene, in general, is also important when looking after your throat- this includes good hydration, ensuring that you are a nose breather and controlling other factors such as dental hygiene, alcohol, smoking and also acid reflux (which can irritate the throat and the voice box).

Similar Questions

What are possible causes of a growing lump on the tonsil?

Oh dear, that does sound rather worrying to have a lump growing bigger on your tonsil! Most tonsil lumps tend to be benign however, such as an area of infection, scarred tissue for even a tonsil stone. It’s a pity you don’t have a photo for us to take a look at. But in view of its enlarging size and the fact that is is just on one side, I would strongly advise you to have it thoroughly checked out by an ENT specialist.

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What could cause a white lump on the tonsil in someone with recurrent throat infections? (photo)

From your photo, that white lump on your left tonsil looks like a mucous cyst (collection of trapped secretions from your tonsil glands). It may also be a tonsil stone. Both these conditions are commonly seen in people who suffer recurrent episodes of tonsil infections, such as yourself. The fact that you have suffered from nasty tonsil infections for so many years puzzles me as to why you have chosen to continue to do so, when there is a relatively straightforward solution: remove those tonsils as they are the source of your infections!

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