Question
I have a 2-year-old boy, and recently his throat has been a bit sore, his voice sounds hoarse when he talks, and he has a low-grade fever that hasn’t gone away. I would like to ask, what symptoms might a child with tonsillitis exhibit?
Answer
Pediatric tonsillitis is a common childhood illness, with one of its common symptoms being sore throat. Many children cry and fuss due to the pain, and they may also have a fever, sometimes reaching 40 degrees Celsius. In addition to sore throat and fever, children may experience chills, fatigue, and headaches. Moreover, due to the inflammation of the tonsils causing the pharyngeal mucosa to become congested, the tonsils may become visibly enlarged. It is important to note that tonsillitis is not limited to the throat; in severe cases, it may affect the heart and kidneys, leading to complications such as myocarditis and nephritis. Therefore, it is recommended that parents take their children to a doctor as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration of the condition and unnecessary harm to the child.