Question
My daughter is 4 years old. She started to feel a sore throat when she spoke, and I noticed her voice was a bit hoarse, accompanied by a low-grade fever. What symptoms should one expect if a child has tonsillitis?
Answer
If a child indeed has tonsillitis, the initial symptom is usually a sore throat, which may cause them to cry frequently due to difficulty swallowing. The child may also experience a fever, possibly low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. They might also have headaches, body aches, and symptoms like weakness and chills. At this time, the tonsils are often congested, red, and swollen. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis or endocarditis. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly if any of these symptoms are observed in a child to prevent complications.