Question
My son is just over 2 months old. He’s just started to have a sore throat, and it seems like he’s having a bit of difficulty swallowing. He’s also been running a low fever. What symptoms might indicate tonsillitis in a child?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, they may experience significant pain in the throat and ears, which can affect normal swallowing. Most children will also have a persistent low-grade fever, or they might suddenly develop a high fever. In such cases, many children may also experience headaches or body aches, as well as chills. Additionally, due to the diffuse congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, the tonsils can be visibly enlarged. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis or endocarditis. Therefore, it is advised that parents should take their child to see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening and causing unnecessary harm to the child.