Adenoiditis is the inflammation of the adenoid tissue.

Adenoiditis can be treated using

medicines, but in recurring cases, may require an adenoidectomy, or removal of the adenoids.

What About Adenoiditis?

The main symptoms of adenoiditis are nasal stuffiness and nasal discharge. In this
respect, adenoiditis is not really distinguishable from the common cold. In children who
develop a common cold, the adenoids become inflamed as part of the illness.

If nasal stuffiness and discharge persist for longer than about 10 days-especially if the
discharge has a greenish, pus-like appearance-the illness may no longer be a common
cold. Instead, it probably has progressed to adenoiditis and/or sinusitis.

How Is Adenoiditis Treated?

Treatment for adenoiditis shares both similarities and differences with treatment for
tonsillitis .

Because obtaining a culture from the adenoids is not as simple as obtaining a

culture from the tonsils , doctors usually base their treatment on the nature of
the clinical symptoms.
Unless a respiratory infection is particularly severe, it is reasonable to first
assume that it is caused by a virus and use of antibiotics is not indicated.
Once your child has had symptoms for 10 days or so without signs of
improvement, treatment with an antibiotic, usually for 10 days to 2 weeks, would
be appropriate.

When Is Adenoid Surgery Justified?

Surgical removal of the adenoids is appropriate when the adenoids are so enlarged that
your child consistently has difficulty breathing through the nose, and the condition is not
substantially improved by antibiotic treatment.

Removal of the adenoids is also appropriate in children who have had persistent otitis
media (infection or fluid in the middle-ear), even after having surgery to place tubes in
the ears.