Tonsillitis - are antibiotics needed?

[BonnieBlueButler]

Hi,

Have been ill for a couple of day. Fever, aching and the most horrendous sore throat. I can't swallow so I'm not eating but trying to drink.

Went to the doctors this morning and he has confirmed I have tonsillitis. My right tonsil and right side of my throat are covered in a disgusting yellowy green gunk!

The doctor has given me antibiotics and told me to wait a couple of days before taking them to see if it clears up as it might be viral. Fair enough. I definitely do not want to take them if they are not necessary.

However, I feel awful. I need to go back to work but can't feeling like this. Is there a way to tell if it's viral? I'm guessing not, as the doctor would have said. The thought of feeling like this for a couple of days is not nice though!

Any advice?

[BeyondUnderthinking]

Unless I am mistaken, viral tonsillitis doesn't cause the same 'gunk' that bacterial tonsillitis does?

I get very irritated at the "oh it's viral" being trotted out by HCPs when they haven't actually checked in detail though, so don't just take my word for it.

(Source - biology student)

[shinynewusername]

viral tonsillitis doesn't cause the same 'gunk' that bacterial tonsillitis does?

You are mistaken. Exudate (gunk) on the tonsils does not prove one way or another whether an infection is viral. Glandular fever, for example, typically causes loads of exudate but is viral.

I get very irritated at the "oh it's viral" being trotted out by HCPs when they haven't actually checked in detail though Maybe you should check you know your facts before criticising others' knowledge?

OP, it is a bad idea to take antibiotics unless you really need them - as well as possible side-effects, if you need antibiotics in the next 6 months, they will be less effective if you have had a recent course. So your GP's advice is good. Most tonsillitis is viral and self-limiting.

[BeyondUnderthinking]

Yep that's right, take it personally. Very mumsnet.

Nowhere did I say "all doctors" or anything like that. I'm speaking from examples where they were proven wrong.

[Crumbs1]

No don't take unless essential - likely to get better on own in 4-5 days anyway.

[FilthMonster]

I agree 100% with shinynewusername

Source: I am a doctor.

(It really didn't sound like they were taking anything personally)