Tonsillitis is very common among children and can affect adults as well. The symptoms are similar to the flu. They include sore throat, headache, fever and chills, and sore glands of the jaw and throat. There may be pus on the tonsils. Seek medical evaluation if there is severe pain, drooling, difficulty breathing, marked difficulty swallowing and if the symptoms last longer than 48 hours.
Treatment includes rest and plenty of soothing fluids.
Gargling with warm, salted water several times a day helps to lessen the pain. Children should take an aspirin substitute like acetaminophen. If a bacterial infection is causing the sore throat, an antibiotic may be prescribed. When tonsillitis interferes with a child's health, surgery to remove the tonsils may be needed. This is called a tonsillectomy.