Tonsillitis is a bacterial infection of the tonsils usually caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. Classically tonsillitis presents with a progressive sore throat, fever, enlarged neck nodes and feeling unwell. The tonsils appear red and swollen and often have a white exudate.

Nose bleeds are common in children and rarely cause significant issues. They occur because the blood vessels on the septum (the midline partition) become inflamed and tear easily with trauma. Usually this happens because of a local infection in the front of the nose called vestibulitis. This causes a build up of crust which can be itchy and when it comes away it leaves a raw area which then bleeds.

It is very common for young children to snore. This is not necessarily anything to worry about.  However in some children, the snoring and airway obstruction can be much more pronounced to a  point that it affects their sleep pattern.  There are different terms used  to describe this; including sleep disordered breathing where there is fragmentation of the sleep pattern  and a more severe form when there are actual pauses in the breathing - sleep apnoea. 

A middle ear infection can be extremely painful as the ear drum distends and sometimes ruptures with subsequent discharge. Once the ear discharges the pain is usually much improved Some children may become unsettled, especially during the night and often wake pulling and banging at their ears. Often the infection occurs in association with a cold and fever.

Outer ear infections usually begin with mild itching and a feeling of discomfort. This can progress rapidly resulting in severe pain, swelling of the ear canal and blockage. Sometimes there can be discharge which can have a pungent sweet odour. If untreated it can spread to involve the pinna and cheek.

Although newborn hearing screening is very effective at detecting hearing loss at birth, if there are any concerns that you feel that your child may not be able to hear you should follow your instincts and have this checked. (Maternal concern is the most accurate indicator that a child may not be able to hear)

Glue ear is an accumulation of fluid within the middle ear that can lead to hearing loss. The middle ear is the space where sound is transmitted from the eardrum to the inner ear.  The presence of fluid in this cavity impedes the transmission of sound.