A high temperature is one of the most typical and concerning signs of tonsillitis in children. Many times, parents are concerned about how long their child’s fever will last and what they can do to make them feel better. Parents can anticipate certain general patterns, although each case is unique.
In cases of tonsillitis, fever is the body’s normal reaction to an infection. It’s an indication that the body’s defenses against the virus or bacteria causing the sickness are being activated. On the other hand, knowing when the fever should start to go down can help ease some anxiety.
This article will go over how long your child’s tonsillitis will last, what variables may impact this period, and when it’s critical to consult a doctor.
| Severity of Tonsillitis | Typical Duration of Fever |
| Mild tonsillitis | 1-3 days |
| Moderate tonsillitis | 3-5 days |
| Severe tonsillitis | 5-7 days or more |
| If treated with antibiotics | Usually 24-48 hours after starting medication |
| If untreated | May last longer or worsen |
Features
In medicine, the severity of body temperature is expressed using multiple terms at once. Subfebrile temperature rises to 38 degrees. A fever temperature is defined by doctors as one that reaches 39 degrees. Increases to 39–40 degrees are referred to as pyretic fever, and those above 41 are considered hyperpyretic.
The majority of the time, tonsillitis causes a feverish increase in body temperature. It only rarely stays subfebrile. Cases of pyretic fever are typical in severe cases of the illness. Hyperpyretic forms are very uncommon and necessitate resuscitation and an intensive care unit stay for the child while they are in the hospital.
The temperature associated with tonsillitis usually passes quickly. It hits its peak value on the first day. Such an increase typically lasts three to four days, after which the temperature starts to progressively drop.
The mildest course is characteristic of catarrhal tonsillitis. It only produces subfebrile temperatures for a maximum of three days. The increase can last for five to six days in cases of lacunar tonsillitis. High temperatures are associated with follicular variants (for 3–4 days). Most of the time, Simanovsky-Vincent disease progresses without this indicator changing. It is extremely uncommon for values to rise to subfebrile levels. The temperature returns to normal within a few days.
Subfebrile fever typically lasts while the tonsils are plaque-ridden. The body temperature returns to normal as soon as the rash or purulent plugs start to go away. The child is feeling much better now. Body temperature returning to normal signifies a quick recovery.
What is a "temperature tail"?
Some babies may experience a mild subfebrile temperature for a few weeks following recovery. Parents shouldn’t have any serious concerns about this symptom. This manifestation is usually recurrent and doesn’t need to be treated further.
You should focus on bolstering the immune system at this time in order to fully normalize body temperature.
More warm vitamin C-containing drinks should be given to the baby in order to promote a speedy recovery from illness. This is a great time for a herbal tea with honey and lemon, or a decoction of black currants and rose hips.
Depending on the extent of the illness and the course of treatment, a child’s tonsillitis fever may linger for three to seven days. Even with medication, the fever may not go down for several days if bacteria are the cause. However, antibiotics can help reduce symptoms in such cases. It’s critical to keep your child comfortable and hydrated. If the fever increases or lasts longer than anticipated, get medical attention.
How to reduce?
Only when the temperature rises above 38 degrees should medication be taken. Treatment involves the use of antipyretic medications based on ibuprofen and paracetamol. These medications essentially have no negative effects and are authorized for use in pediatric practice.
These medications can be taken as tablets, suppositories, or different kinds of syrups. The dosage is chosen in accordance with the medication’s instructions, taking the child’s age into consideration.
The use of aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid to bring the temperature back to normal is not advised. Leigh syndrome is a very dangerous side effect that these drugs can cause.
How to bring down at home?
There are several ways to treat a sore throat. Gargling will assist in lowering tonsil plaque. The body temperature will also start to return to normal as soon as all of the purulent plugs are eliminated. Taking antibiotics and throat pain relievers will also contribute to better health.
You shouldn’t take medicine if your body temperature increases to subfebrile levels. Using a moist towel to rub is very appropriate. After wetting it with water, gently massage the infant’s skin. This technique aids in rapidly reducing body temperature and enhances the health of the infant.
Some moms flavor the water with a small amount of diluted vinegar. This adds to the effect’s enhancement. However, when you mix vinegar into the water to rub it in, proceed with extreme caution. This may cause the temperature to drop more sharply. This method should also not be used if the baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and delicate. Chemical burns could result from selecting the vinegar concentration incorrectly.
It is recommended that you provide your baby with plenty of warm liquids to help lower their body temperature. If the drinks have a higher ascorbic acid content, that is excellent. They will aid in the body’s removal of bacterial toxins, which will also significantly lower body temperature. During this time, staying under a warm blanket will also improve the treatment’s effectiveness.
It is not advisable to take a bath when the temperature is high. This may worsen the disease’s progression and cause health problems. Heat exchange is disturbed after a hot bath, which can cause hypothermia to set in quickly. In extremely hot weather, it is preferable to rub down. After the illness has started, you can resume your hygiene routine five to six days later.
You will also need to ventilate the room on a regular basis to return body parameters to normal. A child shouldn’t be overly wrapped up to avoid overheating, which can cause their body temperature to rise even further. The room must be ventilated in order for normal breathing to occur. The infant will do better during ventilation if they are in the adjacent room.
It is appropriate for young children to rub the folds with a soft cloth. The side of the neck and the elbows are the best places. You can apply a wet cloth to these regions. Even in the youngest children, these compresses will help bring their temperature back to normal without endangering their health.
Restoring the body temperature can also be a challenge if the animal is fed excessively and in big quantities. You should feed the child as gently as possible during the acute phase of the illness. It is best not to overfeed the baby on the first day. Boiling porridges and soups are great sources of nutrients.
A child’s tonsillitis usually comes on slowly, lasting three to five days at most. The cause of the tonsillitis and the speed at which treatment is started, however, may determine the precise length of time.
It’s critical to keep an eye on the child’s symptoms and make sure they’re comfortable and well-hydrated during this period. It is advisable to see a doctor to rule out any infections or complications that might require further care if the fever lasts longer than five days or is exceptionally high.
Most kids recover quickly with the right care and attention, and the fever will go down as the body gets rid of the infection. The keys to making them feel better are rest, fluids, and adhering to the doctor’s recommendations.
