[Prevalence of chronic family tonsillitis and its prevention].

To evaluate prevalence, main causes and social factors of chronic tonsillitis (CT), we examined 321 families 335 children (age 1-15 years) from which had diagnosis of CT. The examination detected CT in the other 114 children from these families. Families of 120 healthy children matched for age served control. Family tonsillitis was detected in 171 (53.3%) families of the study group and 15 (17.5%) families of the control group (p < 0.05). Of 307 mothers of reproductive age, 84 (26.3%) were diagnosed to have CT, 36 (11.2%) of them had a history of tonsillectomy. Our data suggest the existence of family CT. To prevent it, early preventive measures should be taken.