See a GP if: the symptoms do not go away within 4 days. you keep getting throat infections.
Contact your GP or, if your GP's closed, phone 111 if:
symptoms last longer than four days and don't show any signs of improvement. symptoms are severe – for example, if you're unable to eat or drink due to the pain, or you have difficulty breathing.
Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils from frequent or ongoing (chronic) tonsillitis can cause complications such as: Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)
You only collect and take the antibiotic if your symptoms are not improving after three to five days, or if they're getting worse. If you do need an antibiotic, your GP is most likely to prescribe a five- to 10-day course of penicillin. It's important to tell your GP if you're allergic to this.
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
Symptoms typically get worse over 2-3 days and then gradually go, usually within a week.
Quinsy, also known as a peritonsillar abscess, is a rare and potentially serious complication of tonsillitis. You should see your GP if you or your child have symptoms of quinsy.
If tonsillitis is left untreated, a complication can develop called a peritonsillar abscess. This is an area around the tonsils that's filled with bacteria, and it can cause these symptoms: Severe throat pain. Muffled voice.
The terms sore throat, strep throat, and tonsillitis often are used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing. Strep throat is an infection caused by a specific type of bacteria, Streptococcus.
In most cases, tonsillitis symptoms go away in three to four days. But if symptoms last longer, you should schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to rule out other, more serious issues.
Strep throat is more severe than tonsillitis, and it's caused by a specific strain of bacteria called Streptococcus. If untreated, it can damage the kidneys or turn into rheumatic fever, a disease that damages heart valves. Strep throat symptoms include: A fever greater than 101 degrees.
Meningitis and brain abscess
Infections from the tonsil can very rarely spread to infect the lining of the brain (meningitis) or cause collections of pus (abscesses) in the brain.
Symptoms will usually go away after three to four days. Tonsillitis isn't contagious but the infections that cause it are (for example, colds and flu). To stop these infections from spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better.
Pain in the throat is sometimes severe and may last more than 48 hours, along with pain on swallowing. Pain may be referred to the ears. Some patients, particularly small children, may complain of abdominal pain.
This may develop if the tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, and can get better again without treatment. But there is a risk of the infection spreading to nearby tissue in the throat and chest area or of septicemia (blood poisoning) developing.
It is an abscess or a pus build up on your tonsil. It usually only occurs on one side and can occur after having tonsillitis. A fully developed abscess requires you to be admitted in hospital, where antibiotics are given through a drip. They may also need to drain the pus under local anaesthetic spray.
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning.
If your sore throat seems to keep getting worse (or has not improved after about three days), you're in a lot of pain when you eat or drink, or you have a fever of at least 101 degrees F, you'll want to see your doctor to get it checked out, Dr. Clark says.
In most cases, tonsillitis is not a medical emergency and can be treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, there are certain cases when tonsillitis may require emergency medical attention.
Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is very rare in children younger than 3 years old.
Rapid strep test kits are available over the counter at drugstores and do not require a doctor's prescription. These tests are quick and easy to use, giving you results in as little as five minutes. It works just like a rapid test that doctors perform.
If you find it painful to swallow and you have a sore throat, your earache could be a symptom of a throat infection, such as tonsillitis or quinsy (an abscess on one side of the back of your throat, which can sometimes make it very difficult to swallow even fluids).
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck.