It’s not uncommon for children to have their tonsils removed while they’re young. If you still have your tonsils, you might be wondering if you should have yours removed or if there’s any value to keeping your tonsils. You might only know your tonsils as those two round lumps in the back of your throat, but they do more! When healthy, your tonsils stop both viral and bacterial germs from entering your system. Read our latest blog to learn more about the usefulness and purpose of your tonsils:
Part of your Immune & Lymphatic System
Your tonsils are made out of tissue similar to your lymph nodes and are a part of your immune system. Because your tonsils are the first line of defense as a part of a larger system they can be very beneficial when healthy. However, since they are also your first line of defense in your immune system, it is not uncommon for your tonsils to become swollen, infected, or enlarged. Sometimes, the harm of your tonsils becoming infected outweighs the benefits that they provide. In these cases, your doctor may recommend having your tonsils removed.
Catch Incoming Infections
Your tonsils are your first line of defense to infections from your mouth and nose -- essentially they “test” bacteria as it enters the body to see if there’s a risk of infection. Because of the functionality of your tonsils, they have an increased chance of becoming infected and continually causing bacterial issues. Your tonsils do play a part in fighting off bacteria and are believed to help create specific antibodies once a bacteria is detected, to help stop bacterial infections before they start.
If you have more questions, contact us at Florida Ear Nose Throat. We offer allergy screenings, allergy management, and immunotherapy. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE.
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