Question

A seven-year-old boy feels a sore throat while speaking and has some difficulty swallowing. He also seems to have a low-grade fever. What symptoms might a child with tonsillitis experience?

Answer

Pediatric tonsillitis is one of the more common childhood diseases to emerge in recent years. Common symptoms include:

  • Sore throat: This is one of the main symptoms, with pain often extending to the ears.
  • Fever: Fever is another common symptom, with temperatures potentially rising to 40 degrees Celsius. The child may feel tired and weak.
  • Difficulty swallowing: The child may experience pain and difficulty when swallowing.
  • Other symptoms: These may include headaches, chills, enlargement of the tonsils (due to the mucous membrane in the throat becoming congested and visibly swollen), and in rare cases, children may experience complications such as asthma, anemia, and nephritis. It is recommended that parents take their child to a doctor for examination immediately if they notice any of these symptoms, to receive appropriate treatment.