5 Signs Your Child's Tonsils Are Ready to Come Out

He Always Seems to Have Strep Throat

When tonsils are infected and enlarged, it hurts to swallow. Tonsillitis is frequently caused by a virus, and your child usually won't need more than lots of fluids and rest. But tonsillitis can also be caused by the strep-throat bacteria (you'll probably see white spots on your child's tonsils).

Doctors today will only consider removing your child's tonsils if he's had four or five positive strep tests in one year or six or seven over the course of a couple years. And keep in mind that even once his tonsils are out, your child won't be immune to strep. "When kids get recurrent strep throat, it's usually because the strep bacteria have become permanently colonized in the tonsils themselves and then occasionally erupt," explains Dr. Wiatrak. "But after their tonsils are gone, kids can still catch strep from other infected kids."