Patient's question:
My son is 7 years old. At first, he had a slightly sore throat, and I noticed that his cough seemed to be more severe as well. He had been running a low fever for a while. Could you please tell me what are the common symptoms of tonsillitis in children?Doctor's answer:
When a child's tonsils become inflamed, they will experience significant pain in their throat and ears, affecting normal swallowing. The child may also have a fever, which could be low-grade or as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius. Headache is another common symptom, and in severe cases, the child may even have pain all over their body. Additionally, they may experience chills and fatigue. At this stage, the tonsils are red, swollen, and congested. Moreover, the inflammation may not be limited to the tonsils alone; it can further progress to affect the heart and kidneys, potentially causing conditions such as endocarditis and nephritis. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that parents seek medical attention promptly if they suspect their child has tonsillitis.