Question
My child has been eating less and showing signs of irritability lately, along with a bit of coughing and fever. This has been going on for 2 to 3 days. They haven’t received any treatment yet. What should I do?
Answer
Based on the information you’ve provided, your child may be experiencing symptoms of decreased appetite, irritability, fever, and a mild cough, accompanied by a sore throat. These symptoms could be due to pharyngitis. The inflamed area may feel painful when touched by food, which might cause your child to refuse to eat or cry during meals. At the same time, inflammation could also lead to a slight cough. The throat is where the vocal cords are located, which are used for sound production. When this area becomes inflamed and swollen, it may result in hoarseness.