Toggle navigation
Steel City South Pediatrics
3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15227(412) 885-2000

Fax: (412) 885-5641

New Patients are Welcome
We accept Most Insurances

  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Twitter

Request an Appointment

Log Into Patient Portal

Steel City South Peds Telemedicine

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education Library
  • Apply Now

Signs of Tonsillitis

  • Blog Home
  • Child+Health+Care
  • Signs of Tonsillitis

Signs of Tonsillitis

By Steel City South Pediatrics
May 20, 2020
Category: Child Health Care
Tags: Tonsillitis  
TonsillitisEveryone is born with two tonsils. These are lymph nodes located right in the back of the throat. They help out the immune system by housing important white blood cells. Even so, the tonsils themselves can become infected, which is known as tonsillitis. The tonsils swell up, causing pain and discomfort. Children between the ages of five and eleven experience it the most. You need to bring your child in to see a pediatrician right away. Tonsillitis is commonly caused by streptococcus pyogenes also known as strep throat. 
 
The Basics of Tonsillitis
 
Your tonsils work by trapping dangerous viruses and bacteria within. As mentioned before, this can lead them to become infected. Infections are easily transferred between children, with tonsillitis being caused by strep, adenovirus, the flu, and Epstein-Barr virus (mono).
 
Your pediatrician is highly qualified in treating tonsillitis. That is because almost all cases are found in children. During puberty, the tonsils shrink in size. This makes it much harder for them to become infected. You need to seek medical intervention right away. Infections can become life-threatening if not treated, leading to diseases like rheumatic fever. An even more serious complication is a peritonsillar abscess. The infection spreads beyond the tonsils and swells up the neck and chest tissues. This can block and stop your child’s airways. 
 
Signs of Tonsillitis in Children
 
In children under the age of two that have problems communicating what is wrong, symptoms manifest in the form of excessive drooling, refusing food or bottles, and fussiness. Expect these symptoms in older children: 
  • Sore throat
  • Noticeably bigger tonsils
  • Fever
  • Pain or problems with swallowing
  • Yellow or white patches coating the throat and tonsils
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Foul breath
  • Stiff neck
  • Headaches
  • A scratchy or rough voice
  • Stomach pain
Diagnosing Tonsillitis
 
Your pediatrician won’t have any trouble diagnosing your child with tonsillitis. They will first start by asking for a brief history of when your child started feeling sick. The next step is performing a physical exam. The pediatrician will look in the throat, nose, and ears. If strep is suspected, a nurse takes a swab of the throat. A blood test will also be drawn to identify what bacteria or virus is responsible.
 
If strep or another bacteria is responsible for your child’s tonsillitis, antibiotics are prescribed. It’s important that your child finishes the whole dose. This guarantees that the entire infection is gone.
0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2022
      • August (1)
        • What Happens at Child Wellness Checkups?
      • July (2)
        • The Importance of Behavioral Health and Children
        • FAQs about Children's Nutrition
      • June (2)
        • Developmental & Behavioral Visits
        • Summer Safety Tips for Children
      • May (2)
        • Does My Child Have Anxiety?
        • The Importance of Children's Nutrition
      • April (2)
        • Helping Your Child Deal With Minor Illnesses or Injuries
        • Ear Infections in Children
      • March (2)
        • The Importance Of Well-Child Care Visits
        • Peanut Allergies in Children
      • February (2)
        • FAQs About the Pediatric COVID Vaccine
        • Know the Signs of Chickenpox
      • January (2)
        • When a Fever Requires Medical Attention
        • Does My Child Have a UTI?
  • 2021
      • December (2)
        • Your Infant and Constipation
        • Food Poisoning in Children
      • November (2)
        • Know the Warning Signs of Prediabetes
        • Does My Child Have a Concussion?
      • October (2)
        • Bike Safety for Your Child
        • Is Your Child Struggling With Potty Training?
      • September (2)
        • Cleft Lips and Cleft Palate
        • FAQs About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
      • August (2)
        • Your Baby and Cradle Cap
        • Does My Child Need Glasses?
      • July (1)
        • Your Child and the Importance of Vitamin D
      • June (3)
        • Preventing Pediatric Heat Stroke
        • What Is Pediatric Urinary Incontinence or Enuresis?
        • Keeping Up With Your Child's Immunization Schedule
      • May (2)
        • FAQs about Children's Nutrition
        • Symptoms Of Your Child's Ear Infection
      • April (1)
        • Know the Symptoms of Mononucleosis
      • March (2)
        • Bringing Your Child in for Whooping Cough
        • Your Pediatrician's Guide To Thumb-Sucking
      • February (3)
        • Head Lice And How To Treat It
        • When Does My Child Need Stitches?
        • Diabetes in Children
      • January (2)
        • When Should My Child Get a Tetanus Shot?
        • Keeping Your Child Safe While Traveling
  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • Does My Child Have a Broken Bone?
        • Signs of a Pediatric UTI
      • November (1)
        • Keeping Your Child Safe in the Car
      • October (3)
        • Your Child and Chicken Pox
        • Helping Your Child Live Well With Asthma
        • Conjunctivitis: What To Know
      • September (1)
        • Tips to Help Your Child Eat Healthier
      • August (2)
        • The Importance Of Preventive Care
        • Child Behavior Problems
      • July (3)
        • Make Sure Your Child Gets Their Regular Check-Ups
        • Seeking Help for Your Child's Sports Injuries
        • How To Brush Your Child's Teeth
      • June (2)
        • When To Get A Vision Test For Your Child
        • Signs That Your Child May Have Autism
      • May (2)
        • Signs of Tonsillitis
        • Signs Your Child Has ADHD
      • April (2)
        • Why Immunizations Are Important
        • Treating Warts
      • March (3)
        • Getting a Hearing Screening for Your Child
        • 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
        • Treating Your Child's Allergies
      • February (2)
        • Signs of Strep Throat
        • Diabetes and Your Child
      • January (2)
        • Managing Your Child's Asthma
        • Treating Your Child's Ear Infection
  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Dietary and Nutrition Guidance
      • November (2)
        • Dealing With Sports Injuries
        • How to Care for Your Newborn
      • October (3)
        • The Importance Of Regular Wellness Visits
        • Kids and Bedwetting
        • Signs of Appendicitis
      • September (2)
        • Kids and Sore Throats
        • Keep Your Kids Safe from Concussions
      • August (2)
        • Dealing With Your Child's Fever
        • FAQs About Car Seats and Recommendations
      • July (2)
        • Treating Mono in Your Child
        • What Happens During a Child Physical Exam?
      • June (2)
        • Treating Diabetes in Your Child
        • Treating Sports Injuries
      • May (2)
        • Mental Health Wellness and Your Child
        • What is Autism?
      • April (2)
        • Signs Your Child May Have the Flu
        • Proper Nutrition Habits
      • March (2)
        • Dealing With a Broken Bone
        • Dealing With Chickenpox
      • February (2)
        • Why Hearing Screenings Are Important For Your Child
        • What is Whooping Cough?
      • January (2)
        • Caring For Your Newborn
        • Does Your Child Have Vision Problems?
  • 2018
      • December (2)
        • Helping Your Child Manage a Healthy Weight
        • When To Take Your Child To Urgent Care
      • November (2)
        • The Importance of Immunizations
        • Cold Vs. Flu
      • October (2)
        • Common Sports Injuries and How Your Pediatrician Help
        • What to Expect at a Sports Physical
      • September (1)
        • Should My Child Have a Behavioral Consultation?
      • August (3)
        • When to Visit a Pediatrician
        • Types of Learning and Developmental Disabilities
        • What is Conjunctivitis?
      • July (2)
        • Signs Your Child May Have Asthma
        • The Importance of Well Child Visits
      • June (1)
        • The Importance of Nutrition in Your Child's Health
      • May (3)
        • What to Do When Your Child Has a Fever
        • Signs Your Child May Have Diabetes
        • Common Pediatric Eye Problems
      • April (1)
        • Does My Child Have a Cold?
      • March (3)
        • Baby Proofing Your Home
        • How to Stop a Nosebleed
        • Keeping Your Home Safe from Poisons
      • February (2)
        • Proper Hand Washing Methods
        • Appendicitis in Children
      • January (2)
        • Symptoms of Whooping Cough
        • Mono: Symptoms and Prevention
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Treating a Cut
        • Healthy Eating Options for Busy Families
      • November (2)
        • Parents: Protect Your Children from Burns
        • Does My Child Have a Vision Problem?
      • October (2)
        • Childhood Obesity: Helpful Tips for Parents of Overweight Children
        • When a Sore Throat Interrupts Your Child's Health
      • September (2)
        • How to Tell the Difference between Sinusitis and a Cold
        • Kids and Bedwetting: When Should I Be Concerned?
      • August (2)
        • How to Protect Kids from the Sun
        • Understanding Infant Jaundice
      • July (2)
        • How to Keep Germs At Bay and Illnesses Away
        • Fever Phobia? When Parents Should Call Their Pediatrician
      • June (2)
        • Introducing Solids: How to Transition from the Bottle to Spoon
        • Is Eczema Causing My Child's Rash?
      • May (1)
        • Understanding Childhood Asthma
      • April (2)
        • How to Help Your Teen Make Healthy Eating Choices
        • New Parents: How to Select the Right Crib for Your Baby
      • March (2)
        • Understanding Tonsillitis
        • Headaches and Children: Knowing When to Call the Pediatrician
      • February (3)
        • Does My Child Have a Food Allergy?
        • Hear This: Turning Down the Volume Now May Save Your Teen's Hearing in Adult Years
        • Diaper Rash: How to Soothe and Protect Your Baby's Bottom
      • January (2)
        • Fit Kids, Healthy Kids - How to Make Exercise a Way of Life
        • Battling Teenage Acne
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • How to Keep Injuries at Bay when Kids are at Play
      • November (3)
        • How to Avoid and Manage Dreaded Head Lice
        • Use Your Head: How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Concussions
        • Fighting Flu Season: How to Protect Your Family from the Influenza Virus
      • September (1)
        • Welcome Blog

Tags

  • Flu Prevention (1)
  • Sick Child (6)
  • Concussions (2)
  • Head Lice (2)
  • Playground Safety (1)
  • Teenage Acne (1)
  • Exercise (1)
  • Diaper Rash (1)
  • Hearing Loss (2)
  • Food Allergies (1)
  • Allergies (2)
  • Headaches (1)
  • Tonsillitis (2)
  • Crib (1)
  • Nutrition (6)
  • Asthma (4)
  • Eczema (1)
  • Baby Food (1)
  • Fever (4)
  • Germs (1)
  • Prevention (1)
  • Infant Jaundice (1)
  • Sun Safety (1)
  • Bedwetting (2)
  • Common Cold (1)
  • Sinusitis (1)
  • Sore Throats (2)
  • Childhood Obesity (1)
  • Vision (2)
  • Burns (1)
  • Healthy Eating (1)
  • Scrapes (1)
  • Minor Cuts (1)
  • Mono (3)
  • Whooping Cough (3)
  • Appendicitis (1)
  • Proper Hygiene (1)
  • Washing Hands (1)
  • Poisons (1)
  • Safety (1)
  • Nose Bleeds (1)
  • Baby Home (1)
  • Sick Children (1)
  • Eye Problems (1)
  • Diabetes (4)
  • Well Child Visits (1)
  • Pediatrician (5)
  • Conjunctivitis (2)
  • Pink Eye (2)
  • Learning Disabilities (1)
  • Child Care (6)
  • Behavior (1)
  • Behavioral Consultation (1)
  • Sports Physical (1)
  • Sports (2)
  • Sports Injuries (4)
  • Cold (1)
  • Flu (2)
  • Immunizations (3)
  • Vaccinations (1)
  • Urgent Care (1)
  • Weight (1)
  • Sight (1)
  • Newborn (2)
  • Newborn Care (2)
  • Hearing Screening (2)
  • Chickenpox (2)
  • Broken Bones (1)
  • Bone Fractures (1)
  • Autism (2)
  • Mental Health (1)
  • Physical Exam (1)
  • Car Seats (1)
  • Apendicitis (1)
  • Wellness Visits (1)
  • Ear Infection (2)
  • Strep Throat (1)
  • Allergy Treatment (1)
  • Warts (1)
  • ADHD (1)
  • Vision Test (1)
  • Brushing (1)
  • Injury (2)
  • Regular Check-ups (1)
  • Behavioral Issues (1)
  • Child Behavior (1)
  • Preventive Care (1)
  • Wellness Visit (1)
  • Healthier Food (1)
  • Healthy Diet (1)
  • Childhood Asthma (1)
  • Chicken Pox (1)
  • Child’s Car Seat (1)
  • Car Seat (1)
  • Urinary Tract Infection (1)
  • UTI (2)
  • Broken Bone (1)
  • Traveling (1)
  • Medications (1)
  • Vaccines (3)
  • Travel Insurance (1)
  • Social Distancing (1)
  • Tetanus Shot (1)
  • Stitches (1)
  • Thumb-Sucking (1)
  • Pacifier (1)
  • Pertussis (1)
  • Kissing Disease (1)
  • Mononucleosis (1)
  • Nutritional Advice (1)
  • Nutritional Needs (1)
  • Immunization Schedule (1)
  • Immunization (1)
  • Urinary Incontinence (1)
  • Enuresis (1)
  • Heat Stroke (1)
  • Heat Exhaustion (1)
  • Vitamin D (1)
  • Vitamin D Deficiency (1)
  • Glasses (1)
  • Vision Screenings (1)
  • Cradle Cap (1)
  • Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (1)
  • HFMD (1)
  • Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (1)
  • Cleft Lips (1)
  • Cleft Palate (1)
  • Potty Training (1)
  • Bike Safety (1)
  • Concussion (1)
  • Prediabetes (1)
  • Food Poisoning (1)
  • Constipation (1)
  • Urinary Tract Infections (1)
  • COVID Vaccine (1)
  • Peanut Allergy (1)
  • Well-Child Visit (1)
  • Ear Infections (1)
  • Illness (1)
  • Children's Nutrition (2)
  • Anxiety (1)
  • Summer Safety Tips (1)
  • Developmental Disorders (1)
  • Behavioral Disorders (1)
  • Behavioral Health (1)
  • Wellness Checkups (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Pediatric (18)
  • Child Healthcare (16)
  • Skin Care (2)
  • Pediatric Care (6)
  • Pediatric Health Care (3)
  • Child Care (26)
  • Children's Health (20)
  • Child Health Care (25)
  • Skin Condition (1)
  • Diet and Nutrition (3)
  • Child Safety (18)
  • Children's Oral Health (1)

Our Location

3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
(412) 885-2000

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Services
  • Patient Forms
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map
  • Doctor Portal