How to treat children's adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Lian Wen Xi

Pediatrics

Updated on April 25, 2025

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If children experience hypertrophy of the adenoids and the symptoms are not very severe, it is not recommended to perform surgery immediately. Instead, conservative treatments can be adopted, such as using nasal sprays. With conservative treatment over a period of time, the enlargement of the adenoids in children may improve.

However, if conservative treatment persists for about three to six months without effect, and the child exhibits symptoms such as snoring during sleep, nasal congestion, or the presence of yellow nasal discharge, it is advisable to take the child to a reputable hospital for an examination. If the diagnosis confirms that surgery is indeed indicated, surgical removal of the adenoids can be considered as a treatment option.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

36sec

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Can adenoid hypertrophy cause a fever?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common condition in children and is an overgrowth of normally occurring tissue. It does not cause fever on its own. However, diseases secondary to adenoid hypertrophy, such as sinusitis and otitis media, might lead to fever. During the acute infection phase of hypertrophied adenoids, referred to as acute adenoiditis, fever can occur. Therefore, clinically, it is essential to distinguish between different stages and conditions of adenoid hypertrophy to manage it correctly. Simply put, adenoid hypertrophy does not cause fever by itself.

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Written by Lian Wen Xi

Pediatrics

46sec

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How to treat children's adenoid hypertrophy?

If children experience hypertrophy of the adenoids and the symptoms are not very severe, it is not recommended to perform surgery immediately. Instead, conservative treatments can be adopted, such as using nasal sprays. With conservative treatment over a period of time, the enlargement of the adenoids in children may improve. However, if conservative treatment persists for about three to six months without effect, and the child exhibits symptoms such as snoring during sleep, nasal congestion, or the presence of yellow nasal discharge, it is advisable to take the child to a reputable hospital for an examination. If the diagnosis confirms that surgery is indeed indicated, surgical removal of the adenoids can be considered as a treatment option.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 7sec

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What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?

Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 10sec

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Can you get vaccinated if you have enlarged adenoids?

Adenoid hypertrophy needs to be distinguished first between acute and chronic hypertrophy. If it is acute adenoid hypertrophy, vaccination should not be administered. Acute adenoid hypertrophy is most often caused by an acute inflammatory infection, usually secondary to acute rhinitis or sinusitis. When the inflammation affects the adenoids, it leads to congestion, edema, enlargement, and hyperplasia, resulting in clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, ear stuffiness, and ear pain. The treatment primarily involves symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and edema, which can lead to gradual improvement. Vaccination can be administered once the inflammation has subsided. However, if it is chronic hypertrophy, patients can be vaccinated. Chronic hypertrophy is mostly due to continuous slow enlargement and hyperplasia of the adenoids caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation, leading to symptoms like snoring during sleep and mouth breathing. In such cases, adenoidectomy can be curative.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

1min 9sec

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The difference between adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy.

There is a fundamental difference between adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy, yet there are certain connections between them. The adenoids are located in the nasopharynx and are also a lymphoepithelial organ. The nature of adenoid hypertrophy leads to an increase in size, causing obstruction of the posterior nasal apertures and the Eustachian tubes, resulting in symptoms such as snoring and otitis media. Tonsils, on the other hand, are located in the oropharynx and their enlargement can block the oropharynx, leading to rapid breathing and obstructed breathing. It is common for tonsil hypertrophy to occur physiologically in children; clinically, it is often observed that children with tonsil hypertrophy also have adenoid hypertrophy. Both generally occur together because they are part of the internal ring of the pharyngeal lymphatic ring, which establishes a link between them. In summary, while adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy differ fundamentally in location and the manner of pathological changes, they are connected in certain ways.