Question
My child is a 4-year-old boy. He recently started complaining of pain when drinking water, and I noticed he has a severe cough. He also has a low-grade fever. What symptoms might appear in infants and toddlers with tonsillitis?
Answer
The tonsils are located in the throat area, so one of the most obvious symptoms of acute tonsillitis is sore throat, difficulty swallowing. Along with the sore throat, some children may also experience fever, which could be a persistent low-grade fever or even a high fever up to 40 degrees Celsius. The child may also have chills, fatigue, and headaches. At this point, the tonsils become inflamed and swollen, red and engorged. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis or endocarditis. Thus, pediatric tonsillitis is a very serious condition, and it is essential to discover and treat it as early as possible.