Question
A boy, who is 2 years old, has recently started to feel a sore throat, accompanied by a slight cough and a persistent low-grade fever. What are the common symptoms of pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
When a child develops tonsillitis, the primary symptom is a severe sore throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing. Most affected children will have a fever, with temperatures reaching 39-40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by chills and headaches. Many children may feel overall weakness, and the tonsils may appear red and swollen due to congestion caused by inflammation. In severe cases, the child may experience complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic endocarditis. It is recommended that parents seek medical treatment early to avoid deterioration of the condition and unnecessary harm to the child.