Question
My child is a 9-year-old boy. He recently started saying that drinking water feels painful in his throat. I noticed he has a slight cough as well, and it seems like he’s had a low-grade fever that hasn’t gone away. What are the common clinical symptoms that often occur with tonsillitis in children?
Answer
Once tonsillitis occurs, most children will experience a sore throat, and if the inflammation is severe, the ears may also hurt. Children usually have a fever, either a low-grade fever that persists or a high fever reaching 40 degrees Celsius. They may also exhibit headaches, and in severe cases, they might have pain all over their body. Additionally, they may shiver and feel weak. At this point, the tonsils become inflamed and become congested and swollen. If not addressed promptly, some complications may arise, such as rheumatism, nephritis, and sepsis. If the child’s condition continues to worsen, it is advisable for parents not to delay and to take their child to treatment as soon as possible.