Question
A 5-year-old boy has recently started to complain of pain when swallowing water or drinking, accompanied by a slight cough. It seems he has had a low-grade fever that hasn’t subsided. What symptoms might appear in a child with tonsillitis?
Answer
When a child develops tonsillitis, they first notice a severe sore throat, which makes swallowing even food difficult. Fever is also a common symptom, with severe cases potentially reaching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. The child may also experience headaches, and in severe cases, whole-body pain. They may shiver and feel weak. Upon close observation, the child’s tonsils are typically found to be red and swollen.