Question
My son is 9 years old. Initially, he had a slight sore throat, and I noticed that his coughing seemed more severe. Additionally, he seems to have a low-grade fever that hasn’t subsided. What are the symptoms of pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
The tonsils are located in the throat area, so one of the most obvious symptoms of acute tonsillitis is sore throat and difficulty swallowing. The child will also experience fever, which may be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. Accompanying symptoms may include chills and headaches, and most children feel tired. Additionally, due to the diffuse congestion of the mucous membranes in the throat, the child’s tonsils may appear visibly enlarged. If the condition continues to worsen, it may lead to some particularly severe complications, such as sepsis and acute rheumatic fever. The symptoms of tonsillitis can be quite serious, even life-threatening, so it is crucial to seek timely treatment.