1. Signs of Tonsillitis in Infants
Since it is very difficult to get infants to open their mouths in order to examine their tonsils, doctors often have to assume tonsillitis (or simple sore throat) from the presence of certain symptoms. Furthermore, infants are not able to communicate what they feel or where it hurts, so parents and physicians must note changes in behavior and make presumptive diagnoses.
2. Signs of Throat Pain in Infants
The most obvious reason to suspect throat pain in an infant is when the baby cries after swallowing and avoids nursing and feeding. Young babies may take the bottle or the breast but let go and cry out in pain after the first swallow. Babies will fuss and be very difficult to feed when they are experiencing throat pain.
3. Signs of Colds and Simple Sore Throats in Infants
In infants, tonsillitis and simple sore throats are almost always associated with other signs of an upper respiratory infection. The child may suffer from a runny nose, sneezing or watery eyes. There may also be a fever, a change in feeding and/or bowel habits or an altered sleep schedule. Other family members may have been ill with simple colds at the same time. When typical "cold" symptoms are associated with trouble feeding, a diagnosis of a sore throat may be assumed.
