toddlers loss of appetite
Is tonsillitis a symptom or an illness in itself?
Maybe a silly question…
My toddler has a rash all over his body, has a high temperature (over 40C at times) and a red ear. We took him to the doctors this morning and were referred to hospital to see a pediatrician who after looking at his throat said he has tonsillitis and that the rash looks viral. We’ve been given some throat spray and told to keep giving him Calpol to keep his temperature down.
So is tonsillitis the cause of the problem (rash, fever, loss of appetite etc)? Or just another symptom of having a virus?
Tonsillitis, literally means inflammation of the tonsils. It is the “problem” or diagnosis. The cause is likely to be viral, though it may be bacterial. There is no real way of knowing unless swabs are taken. In most cases it tends to be viral and the body’s immune system will take care of it.
Even when bacteria cause infections, the immune system can usually take care it, occasionally antibiotics are needed.
When the tonsils are inflamed, the inflammation can spread up a tube called the Eustachian tube (a tube on each side of the back of your throat that connects to each ear respectively) , this tube leads to the ear and can cause the ear drum to become inflamed.
In your toddlers case, as the virus spreads, it causes various chemicals to be released by the immune system. These cause the temperature, tiredness, loss of appetite (food, sometimes drink as well) and may even contribute towards the rash.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
DrAdvice
http://www.DrAdvice.co.uk
lil Twist ft Tyga & Jae Mills & Gudda Gudda-The Dungeon lyrics