Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the midteenage years. Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include: 
Red, swollen tonsils
White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
Sore throat
Difficult or painful swallowing
Fever
Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice
Bad breath
Stomachache
Neck pain or stiff neck
Headache
 In young children who are unable to describe how they feel, signs of tonsillitis may include: 
Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing
Refusal to eat
Unusual fussiness
