Question
A 4-year-old boy, initially complaining of a sore throat, has been found to have difficulty swallowing and now has a persistent high fever. What symptoms might indicate pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
Currently, pediatric tonsillitis is indeed quite common and its symptoms are relatively apparent. For example, a child may have difficulty swallowing due to throat pain, leading to constant crying and fussiness. Most children at this time may experience persistent low-grade fever, even sudden high fever. The fever may be accompanied by chills and headaches. Many children may feel generally weak. At this point, the tonsils may become inflamed, swollen, and congested. In addition to tonsillitis, further progression may affect the heart and kidneys, leading to diseases such as pericarditis and nephritis. The symptoms of tonsillitis can be quite severe, even life-threatening, so timely treatment is essential.