Question
A 7-year-old boy recently reported a sore throat that is painful when drinking water, accompanied by severe coughing and persistent low-grade fever. How should pediatric tonsillitis be treated?
Answer
Antibiotic medications are the commonly used method for treating tonsillitis, and regional treatments such as tonsil lavage and injection medications can also be considered. For throat pain, analgesics can be used as appropriate; if the child continues to have a fever, antipyretic medications can be administered or immediate medical attention should be sought. Tonsillitis often has recurrent episodes, and surgery can be considered after the inflammation is controlled. During this period, it is important to ensure the child gets adequate rest and increases their intake of fruits and vegetables.