Can GPs do anything for a sore throat?

[naeaffyweel]

I’ve had a horrible virus for about ten spent 4 days in bed with a fever, aching joints, headaches, abdominal pain, etc. It’ll be a fortnight on Friday since it started I think. I’ve still got an excruitatingly sore throat - I can drink and swallow but it’s red raw at the back, white lumps on one tonsil with what looks like blood as well , both tonsils swollen, foul smelling mucus and my neck glands are all swollen/very painful . Have a thick lump in the centre of my neck and lots of smaller ones down the sides (lymph nodes?). Ears are clogged up as well but that’s probably secondary to throat. I’m having a very heavy period as well (through 2 packs of nighttime pads and only on day 3), and am absolutely exhausted - I fell asleep at 4.30pm tonight and I could honestly stay in bed.

I’m vaccinated against everything like mumps etc so I know it’s not that (plus I’d expect to feel a lot worse ?) ... and I haven’t got a rash (family suggested scarlet fever). I’m a student in halls of residence so wouldn’t surprise me if it’s something contagious though .

Friends have reported similar but milder symptoms and cleared up.

I have tried covonia, vix, two types of strepsils, plain honey and hot drinks , cold drinks, and chloraseptic spray (horrible stuff!) . Even took the potentially disastrous root of covering tonsils in bonjela last week as so bloody sore I couldn’t settle . I take cocodamol anyway (30/500) but that isn’t doing much for the throat.

I don’t want to bother a GP if I can help it but starting to think maybe I should ? If it’s viral surely there’s nothing they can do !

I would go to the GP, it might not be viral and it might be tonsillitis. But really, other than the sprays and throat sweets, there isn't much they can do symptomatically for a sore throat!

btw. Tonsillitis when its REALLY bad, can do all that to you, so please get it checked.

I'd phone 111 and ask for their advice.

Sounds like tonsillitis to be honest.

Tyrozet throat tablets are amazing, they contain antibiotic and really help.

White spots on tonsils = possible tonsillitis needing antibiotics.

I think that sounds like o
It might be one of the few times antibiotics may be needed.

For a sore throat/mucus on throat I recommend an anti bacterial mouth wash. Oraldene is the best. A doctor explained it to me once as snot building up on the throat which hurts but also basically starts to rot, causing infections. A good mouthwash helps to reduce the bacteria and will often have a slight numbing sensation as well. I find it also helps to clear the mucus from the throat - like blowing your nose.

Having said all that, you should see your gp too!

It sounds like tonsillitis which can become very unpleasant without antibiotics. Do you have a walk in centre where you can see a doctor? Or else I would see a GP tomorrow.

I’d go to the doctors. Sounds like a particularly nasty throat infection I once had. I left it so long they wanted to admit me to the hospital ! Luckily they agreed to a pain killing jab and sent me home with antibiotics . Hope you feel better soon

GPs use the Centor criteria to assess sore throats. Score one point for each of:
Lymph nodes enlarged
White matter/pus on tonsils
Fever
Absence of a cough

This gives a score out of four. 2 or less is more likely viral, 3 or more is more likely bacterial and antibiotics may be justified.
From your OP it sounds like at least 3/4 criteria are met, so yes your GP should be able to offer treatment.
I hope you feel better soon