Question
A 7-year-old boy, initially complaining of a sore throat, noticed that his voice was a bit hoarse when speaking. Now, he has a persistent high fever that doesn’t seem to go away. What symptoms might appear when a child has tonsillitis?
Answer
Most children with tonsillitis experience a sore throat, with the pain intensifying during swallowing. They also typically have a fever, which may be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. The child may feel fatigue and have a headache. In severe cases, chills can be observed. Notably, the tonsils become red and swollen due to congestion. Furthermore, if not treated promptly, tonsillitis can further develop and potentially affect the heart and kidneys, leading to conditions like myocarditis and nephritis. Therefore, if any of these symptoms are noticed in a child, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly to avoid complications.