Question
A 12-year-old boy, in elementary school, initially felt a sore throat while speaking. He noticed that his cough seemed more severe and he’s been a bit feverish. What symptoms might appear with pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
Most children with tonsillitis will experience a sore throat, making swallowing difficult. This is usually accompanied by fever, which can range from mild to as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Children may feel tired, have headaches, body aches, and even chills. At this time, the tonsils may become congested and swollen, potentially leading to severe complications such as nephritis or sepsis. It is advisable for parents not to delay and to take their child to the doctor as soon as possible.