Question
My child is a 5-year-old boy. Initially, he had a slight sore throat, and I noticed that swallowing seemed a bit difficult, and he’s been running a low-grade fever. What symptoms might a child with tonsillitis have?
Answer
If the child indeed has tonsillitis, the initial symptom is usually a sore throat, and the child may frequently cry out in pain as swallowing becomes difficult. Along with the sore throat, some children may also experience a fever, which could be a persistent low-grade fever or even a high fever up to 40 degrees Celsius. The fever is often accompanied by chills and headaches, and most children feel quite weak. At this point, the tonsils are also red and swollen. If the condition worsens, more severe complications may arise, including conditions such as sepsis and endocarditis. It is clear that pediatric tonsillitis is a very serious disease and can even threaten the child’s life. Parents must take their child for timely treatment.