Question
My daughter is 6 years old and has recently been experiencing a sore throat, slight cough, and persistent high fever. Could this be pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
When children suffer from tonsillitis, they often experience a sore throat, which can be severe enough to make swallowing difficult. This is accompanied by fever, which can range from low-grade to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, along with symptoms such as chills and headaches. Many children also feel generally weak. When the tonsils are inflamed, they may appear red and swollen. In severe cases, complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic endocarditis may occur. Severe tonsillitis can even be life-threatening, so timely treatment is necessary.