The Signs of Tonsillitis

Could your child's throat pain be caused by tonsillitis? The inflammation, a common cause of sore throats in children, is among the many illnesses your child's pediatricians, Drs. Farnoush Jamali and Vahid Khajoee, treat at their pediatrics practice in Gaithersburg, MD.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils, two oval-shaped, fleshy pads on either side of the throat, become inflamed or infected. The tonsils help your child's body fight germs that find their way into the body through the nose or mouth. Unfortunately, these same germs can also inflame the tonsils.

What are the signs and symptoms of tonsillitis?

If your child has tonsillitis, he or she may experience:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Bad breath
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing
• Earache
• Raspy voice

You can see your child's tonsils if you use a flashlight. Inflamed tonsils appear red and may have white or red spots on them. Younger children who have tonsillitis may be uninterested in feeding and might seem a little cranky or lethargic. An increase in drooling can also be a sign of a throat issue.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Treatment varies depending on whether the illness is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Although viral tonsillitis usually goes away on its own, your child's pediatrician may recommend a few measures that can ease his or her pain, including saltwater gargles, throat lozenges, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Soft foods and liquids may be the best options until your child's throat pain eases.

Bacterial tonsillitis is treated with antibiotics that will kill the germs responsible for the infection. Pain relievers, lozenges, gargling, and offering soft foods and liquids will also improve your child's comfort if he or she has bacterial tonsillitis.

Call the pediatrics office in Gaithersburg if your child has throat pain that lasts more than two days, pain is severe, your child's neck is stiff, or your son or daughter has a high fever (103F or higher). If your child has difficulty breathing, go to the emergency room immediately.

If your child has any of these symptoms, it's time to make an appointment with the Gaithersburg, MD, pediatrics office of Drs. Farnoush Jamali and Vahid Khajoee. Call the pediatricians at (301) 977-2440 to schedule your son or daughter's visit.