Not necessarily. Adults who suffer from chronic ailments like tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils) or pharyngitis (an inflammation of the pharynx) are actually good candidates for tonsillectomies, says Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, an otolaryngologist at Harvard Medical School.
While tonsillitis often goes away on its own in about four to 10 days, the symptoms -- which can include fever, sore throat and bad breath -- are much more severe and longer-lasting than what you feel when you have a cold. So it’s no surprise that Bhattacharyya’s research has found that adults who get their tonsils out after suffering recurring infections get a real health boost, with a better quality of life, fewer antibiotics and far fewer doctor visits per year.
Ask your doctor about getting your tonsils removed if you repeatedly have three or more infections in a year and each episode causes you significant ear or throat pain. People who routinely have more than four infections a year should consider surgery too. While the surgery does have its risks, it’s generally considered to be safe.
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