Question
A boy, who is already 1 year old, initially complained of pain when drinking water, and it was noticed that he had a slight cough as well. He also had a bit of a fever and seemed lackluster. What are the symptoms if a young child develops tonsillitis?
Answer
The tonsils are located in the throat area, so one of the most obvious symptoms of acute tonsillitis is a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Most children will also experience persistent low fever or sudden high fever at this time, and they may feel fatigued and have headaches. In severe cases, chills may occur, and upon close observation, the tonsils can be seen to be red and swollen. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis and endocarditis. Therefore, it is advised that parents seek medical attention promptly if they find their child has tonsillitis.