Question
Dear Baby, she is just 8 months old. Initially, she felt pain when drinking water, and I noticed her voice was a bit hoarse when she spoke. Moreover, it seems like she’s had a low-grade fever that hasn’t subsided. How should crying and distressed young children with tonsillitis be treated?
Answer
If a child has tonsillitis, first-line treatment includes symptomatic antibiotic medications. While undergoing systemic treatment, regional treatments such as pus pocket irrigation and direct tonsil injections can also be chosen to enhance efficacy. If the child’s primary symptom is throat pain, parents may consider giving some painkillers to alleviate discomfort. For fever symptoms, antipyretic medications can be administered. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought immediately, and tonsillectomy may be recommended two weeks after acute inflammation subsides if there are multiple acute severe episodes or complications have arisen. Parents should also ensure their child stays warm to prevent catching a cold, which could trigger a recurrence of tonsillitis.