Question
My son is 4 years old and has recently started complaining of a sore throat and is coughing quite severely, accompanied by a low-grade fever. What symptoms should I look out for if my child has tonsillitis?
Answer
If a child indeed has tonsillitis, the initial symptom is a sore throat, and due to difficulty swallowing, the child may frequently cry and fuss. They may also experience a certain degree of fever, potentially as high as 40 degrees Celsius in severe cases. Additionally, the child may have headaches or body aches. The tonsils may become red and swollen, often also enlarged. Severe cases may lead to complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic endocarditis. Therefore, it is important to take tonsillitis seriously in children and seek medical treatment promptly.