Patients, parents and carers
Tonsillitis in Children: A Guide for Parents
What is it?
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the back of the throat. It is a common childhood illness and can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Tonsillitis can vary in severity and duration, ranging from mild discomfort to more severe symptoms that may require medical treatment.
What symptoms do you get?
Symptoms of tonsillitis in children may include:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils
- White or yellow patches or spots on the tonsils
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Bad breath
- Hoarse voice or loss of voice
It’s essential to monitor your child’s symptoms closely and seek medical advice if they are experiencing severe symptoms or if their condition does not improve within a few days.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing tonsillitis in children typically involves a physical examination by a healthcare professional. Your child’s healthcare provider will examine their throat and tonsils for signs of inflammation, redness, swelling, or pus. In some cases, a throat swab or culture may be taken to determine if the infection is caused by bacteria.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for tonsillitis in children depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. In most cases, tonsillitis is caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not effective, so treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. This may include rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Less commonly, the tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, and your child may require antibiotics to help clear the infection and prevent complications. It’s important to ensure your child completes the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if their symptoms improve before the medication is finished.
If you have any concerns about your child’s symptoms or if they are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.
Reassuring (Green)
- Normal skin colour
- Content or smiling, responds normally, wakes quickly and has a normal cry
- No crying or strong normal cry
- Normal feeding, normal wet nappies
Some concerning features: get your child reviewed by a medical professional (Amber)
- Pale
- Not responding normally, not smiling, wakes only, with prolonged stimulation
- Flaring nostrils, breathing more than 50 times in a minute aged 6-12 months or more than 40 times in a minute over 12 months
- Dry lips and tongue, reduced feeding, fewer wet nappies
- Temperature higher than 39 at 3-6 months old, fever for 5 or more days
- Swollen limb or joint, not using limb as they usually would ie. not walking
Seek urgent medical review (Red)
- Pale, Mottled or Blue
- Not responsive, looks unwell, doesn’t wake with stimulation
- Weak or high-pitched, continuous cry
- Grunting, breathing more than 60 times in a minute at any age, sucking in between or under the ribs with breathing
- Not feeding, no wet nappies
- Temperature higher 38 under 3 months of age
- Rash that doesn’t disappear with the glass test
