Question
A 9-year-old boy, at first, complained of pain when swallowing, and it was noticed that he had some difficulty swallowing, accompanied by a low-grade fever. What symptoms might appear with pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
If a child truly has tonsillitis, the initial symptom is usually a sore throat, and the child may frequently cry out in pain as they find swallowing difficult. The child may also have a certain amount of fever, which in severe cases can reach 40 degrees Celsius. It is important to take note that with high fever, symptoms such as chills, weakness, and headache may also occur. At this point, the tonsils should be inflamed and become congested and swollen. In severe cases, children may also develop complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, or rheumatic myocarditis. If the child’s condition continues to worsen, it is advisable for parents not to delay and to take the child for treatment as soon as possible.