Question
Dear parents, my daughter is 9 years old and has just started to complain of pain when swallowing. I’ve noticed that she’s been coughing more severely, and she has a persistent high fever. What can a child with tonsillitis eat to alleviate discomfort?
Answer
It is recommended that parents take their child to receive treatment promptly for tonsillitis. In terms of diet, vegetables and fruits are relatively light and a good choice during the treatment period. Both fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and trace elements, and their lightness is very helpful in treating the disease. For example, pears, which are cool in nature, have the effects of reducing fever, soothing the throat, resolving phlegm, and relieving pain. They can alleviate the symptoms of discomfort in the throat due to acute tonsillitis. For staple foods, it is best to choose soft ones such as congee or noodles to avoid affecting swallowing or causing constipation that may worsen the condition. While maintaining a light diet, it is also important to eat less of certain irritants, such as poultry eggs, donkey meat, beef, and mutton. Parents should also help their children develop good eating habits, ensuring hygiene and health, and avoiding picky eating or dietary bias.