Question
A 3-year-old boy, initially felt a sore throat when speaking, noticed a slight cough, and now has a persistent high fever. What symptoms should be expected with pediatric tonsillitis?
Answer
Pediatric tonsillitis is one of the more common pediatric diseases. When a child contracts this illness, they will initially exhibit symptoms such as a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. They may also have a fever, which could be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. Accompanying the fever might be chills and headaches. Most children will also feel exhausted. The tonsils may become visibly swollen due to the diffuse congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa. If treatment is delayed, some children may develop serious complications such as nephritis and endocarditis. If the child’s condition continues to worsen, it is advisable for parents not to delay and to seek treatment as soon as possible.