Question
A 8-year-old boy, in elementary school, initially felt a slight pain in his throat, noticed difficulty in swallowing, and it seemed like he had a low-grade fever that never went away. What clinical symptoms might occur if a child’s tonsils become inflamed?
Answer
When a child’s tonsils become inflamed, both the throat and ears may feel painful, affecting swallowing. The child may experience fever, which could be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. Accompanying symptoms may include chills and headaches. Most children also feel exhausted. At this time, the tonsils are usually congested and swollen, red and inflamed, and may lead to serious complications such as nephritis or sepsis, which can directly threaten life. If the child’s condition continues to worsen, it is advisable for parents not to delay and to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.