Question
A 13-year-old boy, in elementary school, initially felt a sore throat while speaking. He noticed that his cough seemed more severe, and he’s had a slight fever as well. What symptoms might appear when a child has tonsillitis?
Answer
The tonsils are located in the throat area, so one of the most obvious symptoms of acute tonsillitis is a sore throat, along with difficulty swallowing. Most children will experience a fever, with temperatures sometimes reaching 39-40 degrees Celsius. In the presence of fever, many children may also experience headaches or body aches, as well as chills. At this time, the child’s tonsils are also red and swollen, and they often appear slightly enlarged. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis or endocarditis. Therefore, I advise this parent that if your child indeed has the above symptoms, it is imperative to seek medical treatment promptly.