Question
My son is 7 years old. Initially, he had a slight sore throat, and I noticed that his voice was a bit hoarse when he spoke. He’s been running a fever. What symptoms might a child with tonsillitis have?
Answer
When a child’s tonsils become inflamed, they may experience significant pain in the throat and ears, which can affect normal swallowing. In addition to sore throat, the child may have a fever, sometimes a persistent low-grade fever, or it can reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius. The child may feel fatigue, headache, and general body aches, and even chills. At this time, the tonsils usually become congested and appear red and swollen, and may lead to serious complications such as nephritis or sepsis, which can directly threaten life. It is recommended that parents seek immediate medical treatment if their child exhibits the above symptoms.