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Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are small glands at the back of the mouth
A very sore throat is the main symptom, but in addition you may also have a cough, fever, headache, feel sick, feel tired, have pain swallowing, swollen neck glands, earache, white spots or patches on your throat and tonsils
It usually takes 2 to 3 days for Tonsillitis to develop, and around 7 days for it to clear up
Helping yourself:
- it is likely to be painful to swallow, but you should continue to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration (ice-cold drinks will be soothing)
- you should take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain and fever
- sucking boiled sweets will help produce extra saliva which will lubricate your throat
A doctor will not generally prescribe an antibiotic for simple Tonsillitis which is usually caused by a virus, not bacteria. Your immune system should clear the infection within 7 days. However antibiotics will be prescribed if the infection is severe, or if it is not improving after 3 to 4 days
Occasionally a throat or tonsil infection is due to an uncommon cause, such as glandular fever. See our Glandular Fever page
Tonsillectomy
Removing the tonsils may be an option if you have frequent
and severe bouts of tonsillitis. That is, five or more infections over
a year. Also, when each infection is severe enough to affect normal life
(such as needing time off work or studies). Whilst throat infections are not prevented if the tonsils are
removed, for many people the number and severity of throat infections
is reduced after tonsillectomy
Source: LSMP
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