Why do we have tonsils?
400020
http://www.pedisurg.com/PtEducENT/tonsils.htm\n\nclick it
622210
Actually you have an infection.  That's what puss is.  If your throat or tonsils are coated with "white stuff" or "puss" then you more than likely have strep throat which requires antibiotics right away.  That will get rid of the infection.
1168142
It is called a uvula. I think laryngitis can cause it to inflame, so can tonsilitis. You may need to take antibiotics to cure that
345960
I was a surgical nurse for a long time and I know that they usually don't take out tonsils if there is still an infection present.  I believe I have only seen one time where they actually did take out tonsils with the infection.  Usually they just drain the peritonsillar abscess and then if necessary come back and remove the tonsils.
671389
Actually, the appendix, like the tonsils, has been observed to have a function.\n\nThe appendix serves as a "storage area" for the endosymbiotic bacteria--it's sort of a maintenance culture area, so that when the colonic flora get wiped out by something mechanical, the colon can be rapidly recolonized from the "stored" bacteria.\n\nTonsils are mainly just highly visible, comparatively large lymph nodes.  You can get by without them, just like you can get by without your appendix, half your liver, your gall bladder, one of your kidneys, etc, but that isn't actually proof that they're vestigial.\n\nThey used to think the pineal was vestigial, too; turns out to be an important neuroendocrine modulator..\n\nThe more we learn, I guess, the more we find what we once thought to be useless was just useful in a more subtle way...
307386
I'm not sure but I noticed that you have posted several questions about sore throats.  If you are getting sore throats often and they are taking a long time to heal you should definitely have your tonsils taken out.  I used to get sore throats all winter long.  They would last for weeks at a time.  I had my tonsils out at 18 (which is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced) and I haven't had a sore throat since.  (I'm 23 now.)  I would like to suggest that you see a throat specialist.  Like you, the doctors kept giving me antibiotics and penicillin and nothing worked.  My mom took me to a specialist and he solved the problem.  I hope you find something that works out for you.
792422
If you still have your tonsils I think that is normal.  I used to get those all the time when I was little, along with a sore throat.  They are ulcers.  Gargle with peroxide, and they disappear in about a week.
766705
The mucosa, the skin that covers (among many others) your mouth, nose and throat, produces mucus to protect istself from bacteriae and viridae. If there is an infection in your body, the mucosa decides it has to protect itself more and broduces more mucus. that's all there is.
475954
remove your tonsils. experience
720449
It is possible that chronic problems in the thyroid/tonsils can lead to cancer later in life.  It isn't definate and I don't know if there are any statistical numbers out there to give you a percentage chance of this happening.
592063
you will have to go to the doctor. I had tonsillitis the other week and the doctor gave me antibiotics but many times it will clear up without them, you just have to put up with the pain for a while im afraid, mine lasted a week
391945
I was constantly in the doctor's for my tonsils. I had strep throat at least 4 or 5 times a year. After years of this I finally ended up in the hospital for a few days after developing sacs of puss called abscesses. It was NASTY. A month later I got them removed. I haven't had any problems since. I would definitely go to your doctor and at least have him/her look at them. It might be nothing, but you don't want it to become something real serious either. Good luck.
610415
Lots of people get their tonsils removed without harmful immune effects. I'd think you'd be in more danger of problems by allowing something chronically infected sit right at the base of your brain. Yank 'em if they are causing problems.
155422
To protect us from their germs and bad breath, and to protect themselves from ours.
569864
They are part of the lymphatic system (which is connected to the circulatory system) which play a huge role in immunological defenses against diseases.\n\nThere are two kinds of tonsils in our throats: \n\npharyngeal and palatine tonsils\n\nBoth pairs are filter-protective regions of the body that help to collect bacteria and other pathogens from entering the body. When they are all clogged up from a huge onslaught of germs, like in tonsilitis, then they may or may not be able to filter and protect the body, and may actually be a place that harbors streptococcus microbes and contibute to re-infection.  \n\nTonsillectomies used to be done a lot more than they are now, but tonsillectomy may help reduce the number of ear-nose-throat infections if aggressive antibiotic treatments have not been affective. Chronic strept throat can infect the heart and cause endocarditis and rheumatic heart disease.  So when your tonsils are WORKING, they do help protect the heart and other parts of the body that may be vulnerable to the microbes being transported around in the circulatory system.\n\nAlways throw out your tooth brush after strept throat or soak brush in hydrogen peroxide of alcohol before each use. This might help reduce the chances of reinfection.
222054
Sore throat caused by the streptococcus bacterium causes large, obvious sores on the tonsils and usually a fever. If you do not have a fever, you likely have a virus or a bacterium that does not need antibiotics to go away.
951889
I had my tonsils removed when I was 18. I was constantly getting strep and my tonsils were too big. Recovery was longer, I lost about 15 lbs in 2 weeks. But it was worth it because I have only had stre 1 time since I had the taken out and I am 33 now. Be prepared though for the healing.The younger eople are the faster they bounce back.