AIBU to not leave the GP without antibiotics

Generally, infections that affect multiple members of the household at the same time will be viral. It’s possible to start off with a viral infection and then develop a secondary bacterial infection later.

If your son is ill at present too then your infection may be viral (some viral tonsillitis can be awful) but with your symptoms you absolutely need to be properly examined to consider quinsy.

Good luck.

I wonder if it's strep throat and not quinsy?
Just looking up the symptoms of quinsy and it doesn't mention the patches you say you have @Turtlegurl888
I also looked up strep throat and that does have the patches plus all the other symptoms you mentioned. My ds had it a few years ago (early 20s) when he was in holiday and he was in so much pain.

I phoned 111 when I had this exact thing (white patches on tonsills, extreme pain struggling to drink or swallow) and got a call back from a Dr who prescribed antibiotics and sent the prescription to a nearby pharmacy. It worked within hours, so was clearly bacterial.

When I had this but probably nowhere near as badly as you, I described the pain, the whitish yellow patches and spots inside my throat over the phone - the GP prescribed me antibiotics and a numbing throat spray, without seeing me.

During Covid I had the same symptoms as you. I remember walking aimlessly round the supermarket trying to find ice cream, lemsip, painkillers etc, anything to help and trying very hard to stop the tears that would spring into my eyes every time I swallowed. It was like my brain went, oi, you need to swallow, and I'd grit my teeth in the middle of the aisle!

I rang 111 and had a callback a few hours later and a dr prescribed antibiotics straightaway. He didn't need to see the state of my tonsils, although they were impressive with the gunky patches.

Don't do this. People not finishing their prescribed antibiotics and keeping them at home to take like smarties when they feel a bit crap is one of the reasons why we're getting more and more antibiotic resistance.

Yes, have you actually seen/spoke to a doctor yet?

Our practice issues antibiotic prescriptions after a phone consultation for tonsillitis .

What a palava for you OP

I would 20o prevent push for antibiotics

I had the worst sore throat of my life a couple of weeks ago, literally digging my nails into my palms every time I swallowed. NOTHING helped, painkillers didn´t even touch the sides. I was convinced I must have strep throat etc but it turned out it was Covid and after a couple of days the throat pain subsided.

Usually if you have white/yellow spots on you tonsils then they prescribe antibiotics.

By all means go in and be clear about what you feel you need… but with respect, you don’t know what they are going to say if you haven’t yet been.

@Idealidealist what is your statement that are 'pharmacists better often qualified in aspects of medicine' based on?

That is a very dangerous line to spread without solid analytics to back it up

I can see you have antibiotics now but just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. I’ve had tonsillitis once during adulthood (numerous times as a child) and the pain was worse than childbirth. 💐

You do appreciate that not all GPs get things right? Which is why there is this kick-back against giving antibiotics at the drop of a hat?

Of course they don't always get it right but this seems quite a clear cut case of a bacterial infection.

Glad you got something - the pharmacist service is great couldn’t get my son an appointment at the Drs despite trying for days - knew he had more than a cough / cold - took him to the pharmacy near me, seen within 10mins, diagnosed with double ear infection and chest infection - perscribed 5 day course of antibiotics and pain killers - was starting to feel better within 48hrs of starting the antibiotics.

I recently had tonsillitis and hadn't had it for about 15 years. I was like you, high temperature, could barely swallow and glands were swollen. I got seen by a nurse practitioner who said I met the criteria for antibiotics as I had white patches, fever, and swollen glands.

It was so so painful. You have to be careful as well that it doesn't develop into quincy, which I have also had in the past. Hope you get better soon!

You do appreciate that not all GPs get things right? Which is why there is this kick-back against giving antibiotics at the drop of a hat?

Honestly, one thing I hate is GPs thinking they know it all yet pharmacists are often more qualified in some aspects of medicine and make better judgements.

Maybe you missed the point about not being able to even get an answer on the phone to a GP?

I hope OP reads this one! @Turtlegurl888

It is a sign though that the public sees getting any help as a real fight. My experience is also that way and I always have to really advocate when I see the GP, which is only about 1 time every 5 years - yet I am treated like a hypochondriac that is there every week.

Great that you have antibiotics but if you're genuinely having trouble swallowing then you should call 111 or even go to A&E. Father in law had severe tonsillitis and ended up in hospital for a night on IV antibiotics because he couldn't swallow or move his head and very high fever

Sorry to hear how much you are suffering with your throat. If you can get some honey you can either swallow a couple of spoonfuls every few hours or mix it with hot water and a squeeze of lemon and sip this as honey is a natural antibacterial. In between this you can buy a spray that will numb your throat so you can eat something like chicken soup or similar though chicken soup helps with illness as there’s some research showing it. Anything is worth a try especially as you have a little one to take care of. Good luck 😉

You might want to keep a stash of antibiotics at home. They're available online.

www.anytimedoctor.co.uk/onlinedoctor/medipac.html

I’m a GP. This is a perfect example of why NHS England should fund GP practices properly rather than pushing money into pharmacies for the Pharmacy First scheme. A lot of pharmacists just don’t have the training to manage cases properly. This is poor management - yet to the untrained person (as proven in this thread) it appears a good outcome to be given oral antibiotics.

You sound like you may well have quinsy. This would need hospital treatment and antibiotic tablets are an inappropriate treatment.

Please seek medical review today - be that via your own GP (explain that quinsy is considered possible), a walk in centre, 111 or A&E.

@Turtlegurl888 could be strep throat also. Same treatment so I’m glad you’ve got the antibiotics. If it’s not better after this course don’t hesitate to go back to the chemist for
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