The tonsils and adenoids are part of the upper airways lymphatic first defence, filtering particles and killing viruses and bacteria with antibodies from white cells. Inflammation can occur, called tonsillitis. After the age of approximately 3 years, this tissue gradually shrinks and becomes less important in the body’s immune system.
Due to repeated infections, the “killing ability” of the tonsil decreases with the bacteria having the upper hand – resulting in repeated severe tonsillitis. The tonsils are then a liability needing to be removed.
What is Tonsillectomy?