How do you know if you need your tonsils removed?

KidsHealth asserts that repeated tonsil infections and oversized tonsils which interfere with breathing may result in a recommendation to remove them. Mayo Clinic reports that rare diseases of the tonsils may also result in their removal.

The procedure of removing tonsils is known as a tonsillectomy. Mayo Clinic advises that the recovery time for this surgery may take up to two weeks. Surgery typically occurs on an outpatient basis. Risks associated with this procedure include anesthesia side-effects, swelling of the tongue and soft palate, bleeding, and infection. Discomfort following removal of the tonsils commonly involves the throat, ears, jaw or neck.