Question
A 9-year-old boy, initially complaining of a sore throat, has been found to have a slight cough and seems to have a low-grade fever that has not subsided. What symptoms might occur in a child with tonsillitis?
Answer
Currently, it appears that acute tonsillitis is quite common in children and its symptoms are rather pronounced. Children often cry and fuss because of throat pain, making it difficult for them to swallow. Most children will have a fever, with temperatures sometimes reaching as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius in severe cases. Besides fever, children may also experience chills, fatigue, and headaches. At this point, the tonsils are usually in a congested state, appearing red and swollen. Moreover, this type of disease may lead to more serious complications such as sepsis, rheumatism, and joint diseases. It is very serious when a child gets tonsillitis, and parents are advised to pay close attention to this and take their child to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.