Tonsillitis in children - not to be taken lightly.

Tonsillitis is a common respiratory illness in young children, especially during seasonal changes or when the weather is erratic. However, because the symptoms resemble those of a common cold, such as sore throat and mild fever, many parents often underestimate the condition and self-treat at home with over-the-counter medications, including antibiotics or folk remedies, which can easily lead to serious complications.

When her 9-year-old son had a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a slight fever, Ms. VTP (residing in Buon Ma Thuot ward) thought he only had a common cold, so she bought over-the-counter throat medicine for him and gave him honey and lemon to suck on at home. After a few days, the boy's fever persisted, and he developed difficulty swallowing and swollen lymph nodes on both sides of his throat. She took him to the doctor, who diagnosed him with acute purulent tonsillitis, with a risk of developing peritonsillar abscess requiring long-term hospitalization.

This is not an isolated case; recently, at the Central Highlands Regional General Hospital and Buon Ma Thuot City General Hospital, doctors have been receiving dozens of children with acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis each week. In most cases, parents self-treat their children at home for several days before bringing them to the hospital, leading to complicated and costly treatment and prolonged recovery times.

Don't underestimate a child's sore throat. Photo: Bao Trong

Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Minh, Head of the General Pediatrics Department (Central Highlands Regional General Hospital), said: Common symptoms of pharyngitis include sore throat, painful swallowing, dry cough or cough with phlegm, fever, hoarseness, bad breath… In some cases, there may be swollen lymph nodes in the neck, loss of appetite, and fatigue. One of the common mistakes today is that parents often assess the severity of the illness based on symptoms such as the amount of coughing, high or low fever, and then decide whether or not to use antibiotics. The overuse of medication, especially over-the-counter antibiotics, can lead to antibiotic resistance, digestive disorders, and mask the symptoms of the disease. Even in cases of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by bacteria, antibiotics are not always necessary. Children's bodies have a self-regulating mechanism and produce antibodies to protect themselves, which is why the tonsils and lymph nodes around the throat swell when inflamed. Antibiotics should only be used when the body is unable to fight off the infection, for example, when there is a persistent high fever, clear evidence of injury, or elevated levels of inflammation in laboratory tests.

"The misuse of medication, especially antibiotics, and the disregard for seemingly simple symptoms can expose children to many unfortunate risks."

Doctor Tran Thi Thuy Minh

Furthermore, granular pharyngitis is often considered a complication of pharyngitis, but it is actually a strong protective response of the immune system, not a sign of a serious illness. When the pharyngeal mucosa is inflamed for an extended period due to bacteria or viruses, the lymphoid granules located on the posterior pharyngeal wall become more active and hypertrophy to fight the pathogens. The lymph nodes in the neck, which are immune "checkpoints," swell as part of this defense response. These lymph nodes may be palpable on both sides of the neck, under the chin, or behind the ears, accompanied by pain when swallowing or when pressed. This is the body's natural defense mechanism, helping to surround and destroy microorganisms entering through the respiratory tract. If the immune system is strong enough, the body can control and heal the inflammation on its own without medical intervention. However, when the immune system is weakened, or there are signs of infection or secondary infection, a doctor will assess the situation and decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

Dr. Minh advises that the most important thing in preventing and treating tonsillitis in children is for parents to proactively keep their child's neck and throat warm; avoid contact with people suffering from respiratory illnesses; maintain good hand and mouth hygiene; and ensure adequate nutrition to boost immunity. Avoid overuse of medication, especially antibiotics; medication should only be used under a specific doctor's prescription after a clinical examination. Avoid self-treating with folk remedies or prolonged self-monitoring at home. Furthermore, adhere to the prescribed treatment: take the full dose, for the full duration, and correctly; attend follow-up appointments as scheduled; and do not stop medication prematurely even if the child's symptoms improve.

Tonsillitis in children should not be taken lightly. Proper assessment, timely treatment, and proactive prevention are the best ways to protect children's respiratory health.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202512/tre-bi-viem-amidan-khong-the-xem-thuong-ef01b0e/