Question
My son is 1 year old. He just started saying he has a sore throat and I noticed that his coughing seems more severe. Moreover, he has a persistent high fever now. What clinical symptoms may occur in children with tonsillitis?
Answer
When tonsillitis occurs, most children will experience a sore throat, and if the inflammation is severe, the ears may also hurt. Children usually have a fever as well, which could be a low-grade fever that persists or a high-grade fever reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Accompanying the fever are chills, fatigue, and headaches. At this point, the tonsils are often congested, red, and swollen. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis or endocarditis. It is clear that pediatric tonsillitis is a very serious condition that can even threaten a child’s life. Parents must take their children for treatment promptly.