Question
My child is a 6-year-old boy. He says his throat hurts when he drinks water, and his voice sounds a bit hoarse. What symptoms might a child have if they have tonsillitis?
Answer
If a child has tonsillitis, the initial symptoms are typically a sore throat, which may cause them difficulty swallowing and frequent crying. Some children may also have a fever, with varying degrees of temperature, so it’s important to monitor closely. Some patients may experience headaches or body aches as well. You can also observe if the tonsils are red and swollen, as the tonsils become congested when inflamed. Severe tonsillitis can affect the heart and kidneys, leading to complications such as myocarditis and nephritis, making it a very serious disease that needs to be detected and treated early.