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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I go to A&E

32 replies

confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 08:31

I’ve been trying to call my local surgery since before opening time. It put me straight on voicemail 35 times. Finally got through and I’m still 30 in the queue.

I have tonsillitis and I can barely talk or swallow. Paracetamol isn’t touching it now. I’m also sweating, but no cold symptoms. DH is going back to work tomorrow and I have two young DC.

AIBU to go to A&E or should I try Ibuprofen first and wait until tomorrow?

OP posts:
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gettinghealthy · 30/07/2024 12:04

My DH has tonsillitis last week - didn't get anything for it and then it got out of hand so he phoned 111 at 5am on Sunday morning. They prescribed antibiotics and said if he can't swallow them he needs to go to a&e. It got worse and he couldn't swallow so went to the hosp. I don't know what area you're in so it might be different but he had to wait 20 mins to be triaged and then was taken in. They gave him IV steroids, painkillers and fluids and kept him overnight. He felt a huge amount better after an hour of the IV but his infection markers etc were high when he went in so they kept him in on the safe side. He definitely couldn't have managed it at home when it got to that point and he didn't have to worry about looking after DC as I was doing it.

Hope you feel better soon OP, but if you can't swallow you need to go to the hosp

BeaRF75 · 30/07/2024 11:54

Obviously not - it's not an accident or emergency!
Try a pharmacist.

Goldengirl123 · 30/07/2024 11:51

Go to the pharmacist. I had tonsillitis a few weeks ago and they gave me anti biotics

violetcuriosity · 30/07/2024 11:48

confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 11:04

Thank you all.

Bacterial tonsillitis so I’ve been prescribed antibiotics by pharmacist. I was out of it this morning and couldn’t think straight 🙈 Just praying the DC don’t come down with anything.

Glad you've seen someone and started on antibiotics. I think you should still see a GP tomorrow though. I say this because I had the same situation in February and the pharmacist underestimated the situation and gave me half the dose of phenoxymethylpenicillin and in the meantime my tonsillitis turned into sepsis.

Errors · 30/07/2024 11:42

Glad you got sorted OP! It can’t be nice and as you say, you weren’t thinking straight. Wish you a speedy recovery!

WonderingAboutBabies · 30/07/2024 11:38

Glad you got help! Keep an eye on it though as I was prescribed antibiotics too late and ended up with a massive abscess on my tonsil which burst... Ended up in A&E and overnight stay with a drip :(

Muffinmanfromdrurylane · 30/07/2024 11:26

Glad you got sorted and hopefully the meds will kick in soon. Take care

Original poster
confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 11:04

Thank you all.

Bacterial tonsillitis so I’ve been prescribed antibiotics by pharmacist. I was out of it this morning and couldn’t think straight 🙈 Just praying the DC don’t come down with anything.

OP posts:
ltscoldonthesidelines · 30/07/2024 09:35

I’m sure a pharmacy can now prescribe antibiotics for tonsillitis. That would my first port of call.

Starlingexpress · 30/07/2024 09:31

Just stay on the phone to the GP first.

Then ring NHS 111 if GP won’t help.

Muffinmanfromdrurylane · 30/07/2024 09:29

This time of day 111 will likely refer you back to your GP. Did you continue to hold on line for GP? I had tonsillitis recently and the pharmacist was able to diagnose and prescribed antibiotics. I'm in Scotland though, not Wales so not sure if your pharmacies offer this service.

Hope you get seen soon and are on the mend quickly.

WooYa · 30/07/2024 08:59

I got antibiotics from my pharmacy when I last had tonsillitis. I just called them and they got the pharmacist to call be back and I was given them straight away

Needahandholdplease2023 · 30/07/2024 08:54

Pharmacy first as they can prescribe antibiotics now for tonsillitis, if not I'd go to urgent care/111 for appointment

Bluebirdover · 30/07/2024 08:49

@confusedthirtysomething2 please do make sure you see some kind of health care professional, you probably know that tonsillitis can turn very nasty!

Bluebirdover · 30/07/2024 08:41

ButtSurgery · 30/07/2024 08:34

Keep phoning the GP. A&E aren't going to treat tonsillitis unless it's become quinsy.

You could also phone a pharmacist and see if they can prescribe antibiotics for tonsillitis under the news schemes.

I was going to suggest pharmacist, that's your next option I think.

Original poster
confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 08:41

I will try 111. To be honest, I’m in so much pain I can’t think straight and forgot it was even an option.

OP posts:
Linearforeignbody · 30/07/2024 08:40

I think pharmacists can do throat swabs for strep? And dispense antibiotics if needed?

Zanatdy · 30/07/2024 08:39

I’d keep trying to get through to the GP or 111, it’s not necessary to go to A&E. Hope you feel better soon, tonsillitis is grim

Original poster
confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 08:38

@EnoughIsTooMuchAlready No fever but I’m sweating. Think it’s bacterial.

OP posts:
Eeeehbyeck · 30/07/2024 08:38

Try a local pharmacy that is in the Pharmacy First scheme. My adult son was referred to one last weekend after ringing 111 with tonsillitis. They can prescribe antibiotics

Original poster
confusedthirtysomething2 · 30/07/2024 08:38

Toasticles · 30/07/2024 08:33

Don't you have an urgent care walk in centre, or a private GP nearby? For tonsillitis I would want to avoid sitting 10 hours in A and E.

No private GP or urgent care walk in centre. I’m in Wales so not sure if it’s a thing here.

Will try 111 in a bit.

OP posts:
EnoughIsTooMuchAlready · 30/07/2024 08:36

Yes @ButtSurgery head a good idea - try looking up what pharmacies local to you take part in the minor ailments prescription scheme? They'll sort you out hopefully x

Do you have a fever?

Itmademechangeit · 30/07/2024 08:36

Just wait. It’s not an emergency. The phone will be answered way quicker than an a&e wait anyway.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/07/2024 08:36

Don't pharmacists prescribe for tonsillitis now?

PumpkinPie2016 · 30/07/2024 08:35

Contact 111 (you can do 111 online for this if you don't want to call).

I had infected tonsillitis a few weeks back, did 111 online and got an antibiotic.

It's rubbish but 111 or walk in centre is what you need if you can't get in to your GP, A&E isn't really the right place.

Hope you get sorted.

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