Question
A 7-year-old boy, in elementary school, complained of a sore throat at first. He also had a slight cough and felt a bit feverish and listless. What symptoms might occur with pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
When tonsillitis occurs, most children will experience a sore throat, and if the inflammation is severe, the ears may also ache. Children may also have a fever, which could be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. Accompanying the fever might be chills and headaches, with many children feeling weak and exhausted. At this point, the tonsils are also red and swollen. If the condition worsens, more serious complications may arise, such as sepsis or endocarditis. It is clear that pediatric tonsillitis is a very serious disease, and it is crucial to detect and treat it as early as possible.