Growing up should be a fun-filled experience for children. However, when they get sick, it may be difficult for them to remain active. Two of the most common illnesses children can get are pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Pharyngitis refers to redness and infection that affects the throat. On the other hand, tonsillitis is an infection that affects the two masses of tissue on either side of the throat.
If your child complains of pain when they swallow, chances are they have tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or both. If it is your first time treating these illnesses in your child, you may be worried. However, knowing more about these infections will put you in a better position to handle the situation more effectively.
FAQs on Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis in Children: When to Worry
FAQ 1 – What are the Causes of Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis in Children?
Viral or bacterial infections are the most common causes of tonsillitis, while viral infections usually bring about pharyngitis in children. Other causes include yeast infections from fungi, allergies, sinus infections, and can even be a complication of cancer.
FAQ 2 – Why Are Children More at Risk?
Viral and bacterial infections spread to people who come into close contact with those who are sick. The immune systems of children are weaker than adults. If they encounter a classmate with these infections, it is very easy for the disease to transfer to them and make them sick.
FAQ 3 – What Are the Symptoms?
Each child may have varying symptoms when they experience it. The most common symptoms are sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, fever or chills, enlarged neck glands, headaches, and ear pains. A child may feel many other symptoms, and when they complain about various pains that you may think are signs of infection, it is best to take them to see their pediatrician or family doctor.
FAQ 4 – What Are the Available Treatments?
The treatment will depend on your child’s age, the symptoms they are feeling, and the infection’s severity. If bacteria cause the infection, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial medications to kill the bacteria. However, if the cause is viral, the doctor can only prescribe treatments to help your child find symptom relief.
FAQ 5 – When Should I Worry?
Your child may require a trip to the emergency room if there is a severe blockage in their airways and they are having trouble breathing. In very severe cases of tonsillitis, the doctor may recommend that their tonsils be removed to prevent subsequent episodes from happening.
If your child complains about severe discomfort or has an unusually high fever, you should take them to see a doctor. If it is after hours, going to the emergency room or urgent care center is the solution.
Conclusion
Seeing an ENT specialist will help you get to the bottom of why your child has throat diseases. However, if you notice that your child is having difficulty breathing because of these illnesses. In that case, it is best to take them to an urgent care center for immediate medical attention.
It pays to have the information of Your Kids Urgent Care just in case you will need it. We offer superior and convenient urgent care pediatric services to all children who enter our offices. Get the best in children’s urgent care today!
