Question
My son is 9 years old. Initially, he had a slight sore throat, and I noticed that his cough was quite severe, and it seems like he’s had a low-grade fever all the time. I would like to know: What symptoms might a child experience with tonsillitis?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, the first symptom they may experience is a sore throat, which can then affect the ears and potentially lead to middle ear infection. At this stage, the child may also have more severe coughing, low fever, and headaches. The fever can vary in intensity; if it’s low-grade, it can be observed, but if it’s high-grade, medical attention is necessary. The child may also exhibit headaches, with severe cases causing pain throughout the body. They might also shiver and feel weak. Due to the diffuse congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, the child’s enlarged tonsils can be clearly noticed. This condition can also lead to more serious complications such as sepsis, rheumatism, and arthritis. If the child’s condition continues to worsen, it is advisable for parents not to delay and to take their child for treatment as soon as possible.