Question
A 14-month-old baby makes a rattling sound in their throat while sleeping at night, and their voice sounds hoarse upon waking. What could be the cause of this, and do they need to see a doctor?
Answer
A 14-month-old baby producing a rattling sound in their throat during sleep at night and having a hoarse voice upon waking could be signs of acute tonsillitis. It is advisable for parents to take the child to the hospital for a routine blood test and throat examination to confirm the condition. For mild symptoms, oral medication can be administered along with local application of a bicomponent lozenge; for severe symptoms, muscle injections or intravenous treatment may be required.