Patient's question:
Boy, 11 years old, has started elementary school. At first, he said his throat hurt even when drinking water, and he discovered that he also had a mild cough. Additionally, he had been feeling slightly feverish for a while. My question is: What are the common symptoms of tonsillitis in children?Doctor's answer:
When a child suffers from tonsillitis, the first symptom is usually a sore throat. It may then affect the ears, potentially leading to otitis media. The child typically accompanies these symptoms with fever, which can be either persistent low-grade or high-grade, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the child may feel fatigued, experience headaches, and, in more severe cases, have chills. At this stage, the tonsils are usually congested, red, and swollen. In some cases, complications such as bronchial asthma, sepsis, or nephritis may also occur. Tonsillitis symptoms can be quite serious and may even be life-threatening. Therefore, prompt treatment is essential.