Do you get sick more without tonsils?

Children who have their tonsils removed do not, on average, have any more illnesses than children who "keep" their tonsils. In fact, some children will get fewer illnesses, like strep throat, after their tonsils are taken out.
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Does having no tonsils affect your immune system?

Study limitations included heterogeneity in the diagnostic tools, timing of testing, indication for tonsillectomy and patients' age. Conclusion: It is reasonable to say that there is enough evidence to conclude that tonsillectomy has no clinically significant negative effect on the immune system.
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Do you get more sick if you don't have tonsils?

Having your tonsils out as a child makes you three times as likely to suffer from common colds and other respiratory infections, and may leave you more vulnerable to a host of other infectious diseases, a study has concluded.
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Is it better to have or not have tonsils?

Tonsils and adenoids help trap bacteria and viruses that people breathe in, helping prevent throat and lung infections. Luckily, they are not the body's only defense against infection, as sometimes the tonsils can become more hurtful than helpful.
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What are the disadvantages of removing tonsils?

Common issues after a tonsillectomy include the following:
  • Moderate to severe pain in the throat for one to two weeks.
  • Pain in the ears, neck or jaw.
  • Nausea and vomiting for a few days.
  • Mild fever for several days.
  • Bad breath for up to two weeks.
  • Swelling of the tongue or throat.
  • Feeling of something stuck in the throat.
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Does Removing the Tonsils Lead to More Future Diseases?



What are the long term effects of getting your tonsils removed?

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy were associated with a 2- to 3-fold increase in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, and adenoidectomy doubled the risk of COPD and conjunctivitis. Adenotonsillectomy was associated with a 17 percent increased risk of infectious diseases.
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Does removing tonsils shorten your life?

The research shows that both tonsillectomies and an adenoidectomies are associated with higher levels of allergic, respiratory and infectious diseases later in life; these are important, the researchers say, to weigh up alongside the already known short-term risks of surgery.
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Is it harder to get strep without tonsils?

People who have their tonsils are at an increased risk for more frequent cases of strep throat. This is especially true in children. Not having tonsils could decrease the chances that the bacteria will grow in the throat. Also, your symptoms may not be as severe if you don't have tonsils.
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Why is a tonsillectomy worse for adults?

Adults also report experiencing more pain than children after a tonsillectomy. This could be related to adults have more scar tissue on their tonsils, making them more difficult to remove. Scar tissue builds on the tonsils with each infection, and adults have had more time to accumulate scar tissue.
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Do tonsils help your immune system?

The tonsils are part of the body's immune system. Because of their location at the throat and palate, they can stop germs entering the body through the mouth or the nose. The tonsils also contain a lot of white blood cells, which are responsible for killing germs.
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What are the benefits of having your tonsils removed?

What are the benefits of tonsil surgery? Surgery to completely remove the tonsils (total tonsillectomy) can help to reduce the number of throat infections. Once the palatine tonsils have been removed, they can no longer become infected – but other areas of tissue in the throat can still become infected.
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Can tonsils grow back after 30 years?

Although it's unlikely, your tonsils can grow back if you've had them removed. Most of the time, this regrowth isn't something to worry about, but you should talk to your doctor if it happens.
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Can tonsils grow back?

It is possible for tonsils to partially grow back. During a tonsillectomy, most of the tonsils are removed. However, some tissue often remains, so tonsils occasionally can regenerate (regrow) — although they probably won't grow back completely or to their original size.
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What does strep feel like without tonsils?

Even if you have had your tonsils removed, you can still experience symptoms of strep throat. According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms can include: Scratchy, painful throat. Swollen lymph nodes.
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Can you get strep throat if you had your tonsils removed?

While some people who undergo tonsil removal may notice less frequent or less severe strep throat infections, it is still possible to get a strep throat without tonsils. Basic hygiene practices may help reduce the spread of the infection, and the person should see a doctor for a diagnosis and antibiotic treatment.
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What does strep breath smell like?

Smell Your Breath

There also isn't one “strep breath” smell, so it's not a great way for someone else to diagnose you.
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Why you shouldn't remove tonsils?

After tonsil or adenoid removal, the researchers found a two- to three-times increase in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. They identified smaller increases in risks for infectious and allergic diseases. Following adenotonsillectomy, the risk for infectious diseases rose 17 percent.
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Do tonsils affect height?

The chronic tonsillitis, has also an impact in the patient's weight and height, where the retardation varies about 10% from the children with normal development (5, 6).
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Can you still get tonsil stones after a tonsillectomy?

A 2021 study claims this treatment may be superior to other surgeries, though tonsillectomy remains the most common treatment for tonsil stones in the U.S. However, tonsil stones may still develop again in the future. Several other conditions can cause pain in or near the tonsils.
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What is the difference between Tonsillotomy and tonsillectomy?

Tonsillotomy patients experience less pain, equivalent or easier recovery, better food intake, and maintain the immunological function of the tonsils, while being as effective as tonsillectomy for resolving upper-airway obstructive symptoms for SDB in children.
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What are the disadvantages of removing tonsils in adults?

Adult Tonsillectomy Risks and Complications
  • Dehydration.
  • Infection. This is rare, but it's a small risk with most surgeries.
  • Pain.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Too much bleeding from the wound (hemorrhaging). It's rare. ...
  • Swelling.
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What is a good age to get your tonsils removed?

A child at any age can have a tonsillectomy if the indications are severe. However, surgeons generally wait until children are 3 years old to remove tonsils because the risk of dehydration and bleeding is greater among small children.
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Does tonsil removal Change your voice?

Conclusions Chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy cause alterations in some acoustic measurements, which make the voice dysharmonic and harsh. Tonsillectomy eliminates nasalance and lowers shimmer. Overall, it does not significantly alter dysphonia owing to disease.
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Can removing tonsils cause autoimmune disease?

Conclusions: The incidence of a group of autoimmune diseases was higher in individuals operated with a tonsillectomy. Immune dysfunction due to tonsillectomy may partly explain the observed association. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be explored in future studies.
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Can removing tonsils help with allergies?

Conclusion: Tonsillectomy did not improve the underlying mechanisms of the allergy, however the decreased risk of infection and upper airway obstruction could lead to improved symptoms of allergic airway diseases.
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