Question
Dear Sir, my son is just over 8 months old and has recently been experiencing a sore throat, with some hoarseness in his voice, and a persistent low-grade fever. What symptoms might indicate tonsillitis in a child?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, they typically experience a sore throat, which may be accompanied by ear discomfort and even lead to otitis media. Generally, children may have a fever with a persistently elevated body temperature, sometimes reaching 40 degrees Celsius. In addition to fever, symptoms like chills and headaches may also occur. Many children may feel generally weak at this time, with the tonsils often appearing red and swollen. Severe cases may lead to complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic endocarditis. It is advisable for parents to take their child’s tonsillitis seriously and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.