It happened to just about everyone and there was no point complaining.

However, times changed and so did the medical profession's take on tonsillitis.

Rather than being the rule, the once popular procedure became the exception.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Zoran Becvarovski from St George ENT said there were very good reasons for having tonsils removed in children and adults.

"The most common reasons for performing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are recurrent tonsillitis not just a sore throat and/or airway obstruction causing problems with breathing,'' he said.

"If you have six episodes a year where you need antibiotics to deal with tonsillitis then you should look at getting them out.''

Dr Becvarovski said people often mistakenly thought having tonsils out was a problem as tonsils captured infections and stopped them from entering the throat.

"One school of medical thought says tonsils are not filters, they are samplers,'' he said. "They sample bugs that enter your body to make antibodies. If you don't have tonsils then other tissue in the back of the throat and tongue become samplers.''

He said large tonsils could lead to sleep apnoea.

Dr Becvarovski's suite at St George Private Hospital is covered in photos and cards from children thanking him for their operations.

He has even put together a video to allay the fears of young patients.

It features Riley Cowper, 5, of Oatley, who had his adenoids out. In the final shots, Riley is shown with a big grin and a bowl full of jelly, proving that going into hospital is not the least bit scary.