Question
Dear parents, my daughter is only 7 months old. She has just started to complain of a sore throat when talking. I noticed that her coughing seems more severe as well. Additionally, she seems to have a low-grade fever that hasn’t gone away. What common symptoms might occur if an infant or toddler has tonsillitis?
Answer
When an infant or toddler’s tonsils become inflamed, they experience noticeable pain in the throat and ears, affecting their swallowing ability. Fever is a common symptom of tonsillitis, sometimes reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius in severe cases. Accompanying high temperatures may include chills, fatigue, and headaches. At this time, the tonsils should become inflamed, congested, and swollen. In severe cases, children may also experience complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic endocarditis. It is very serious for a child to have tonsillitis, and parents are advised to take this condition seriously and seek medical treatment for their child as soon as possible.