Question
A 9-year-old boy, in elementary school, initially had a slight sore throat, and now he’s also experiencing severe coughing and a persistent high fever. How should we treat his tonsillitis?
Answer
Treatment for pediatric tonsillitis can involve selecting sensitive antibiotic medications based on bacterial culture, or regional treatments such as tonsil crypt irrigation and intratonsillar injections. If the child primarily exhibits symptoms of throat pain, parents can consider giving some painkillers to alleviate the discomfort. Some children may also have a fever, in which case they can be given oral antipyretics. If the symptoms cannot be alleviated and if there is poor response to medication or recurrent episodes, it is advisable to consider surgical treatment. Parents should also ensure that their children are well-protected from the cold and avoid catching a cold to prevent recurrent tonsillitis.