Advice from a doctor or nurse please

[voxnihili]

I'm trying to make a decision about whether I need to go to urgent care this morning (doesn't open until 8) - I'm loathed to call 111 as their default seems to be to go. I don't want to go unnecessarily as I think it will be heaving today - and I think I might come home with more than I went with!

I've been unwell for about 10 days - started with flu type symptoms, cold and minor cough. I then developed conjunctivitis in one eye and noticed white spots on my tonsils so went to the doctor who confirmed bacterial tonsillitis. Started antibiotics 5 days ago. Since then the conjunctivitis spread to the other eye.

My eyes cleared up really quickly and are now fine. The white spots on my throat have now disappeared but my throat is becoming more and more sore. I can't taste anything, swallowing is incredibly painful and I have some pain in my ear and occasionally in my sinuses. It's getting to the point that I can barely eat or drink which is very unusual for me.

The thing that is throwing me is that aside from the pain I don't actually feel unwell (maybe a little under the weather) so I'm not sure if this is something I just need to ride out.

Thanks!

I'm not a HCP but my thoughts were Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess. It is an abscess in the throat/roof of mouth and happens after a throat infection. You would definitely need to go somewhere quickly with it as it can progress and is very painful.

Or pharyngitis, you still need to see someone

Go and see a doctor. My thought was abscess too (GP here)

Do you have a temperature? Take your temp and post it here.

If your having difficulty swallowing you need to see somebody.

Do you have a GP hub you can go to? Here if you call the surgery when shut you get a number and they arrange an OOH GP appointment, 111 can book it too so no A&E.

Sounds like you do need to be seen.

@voxnihili did you go to the urgent care?

I'd like update, too. Hope you are feeling better, either way.

Quinsy. See a GP.

Thanks for all the responses and sorry for not replying sooner. Whilst waiting for urgent care to open I had a shower - the steam seemed to really help my throat and I managed to eat my breakfast afterwards. As I didn't have a temperature and wasn't feeling ill I decided I'd just see how it was throughout the day - I didn't fancy having to sit with my toddler in urgent care if it wasn't needed.

I've been ok all day with just a mild sore throat but it's got much worse again tonight with ear pain to throw in (typically the urgent care centre is now closed). I still don't feel unwell though other than the discomfort. I shall make an appointment with my doctor on Monday unless it really takes a turn for the worse in which case I'll go to urgent care.

Ah bummer that it didn't just improve.
X fingers that you'll get thru tomorrow ok.

My thought was possible Quinsy (I’m a nurse). If the steamy shower helped, I’d suggest steaming 4 times a day (head over a bowl of water with a towel) for a full 10 minutes to help decongest. I’d seek medical advice if you continue to struggle to eat and drink.