Sore throat that came on suddenly. Do I need a GP?

[shecanbemesurely]

I was eating lunch earlier today when I said ‘oh, that’s weird, literally just this instant my throat has started hurting’. It was strange because it really was one minute nothing and then it felt painful to swallow

It is now almost 11pm and the pain is a bit worse, not horrible, but feels more difficult to swallow? Like there’s a narrowing or something they means it’s harder for my saliva to go down. I’m not panicky or in horrendous pain, but I’ve definitely noticed a reduction in now east it is for saliva or liquid to go down, like it’s more narrow

I had a look in the mirror with my phone torch 🔦 I can see one pussy spot behind the left tonsil but nothing else

If it’s the same in the morning, do I need a GP appointment?

I only ask because around 12 months ago I had a UTI and GP said any other symptoms. I briefly mentioned a bit of a sore throat - she said it was pussy so that means bacterial, and gave me antibiotics to cover both UTI and throat infection. Google seems to suggest a bacterial case of tonsillitis is in fact Strap A throat? It was fine anyway, cleared up the next day

I mentioned this because like I said, today I can see only one spot of puss that’s looking to be behind the tonsil. However, with tonsillitis that was bacterial, I had a look and the tonsils were all pussy and nasty

Any advice appreciated as it’s quite a miserable experience and quite annoying!

Gargle every couple of hours with warm salty water. Take Strepsils.

No! It's a sore throat..... GPs have better things to do. The usual suggestion would be "therapeutic use of time"!

Like I say, the reason I wondered was because there’s definitely puss there and GP was quite clear last time that puss = antibiotics as it’ll be bacterial

if still worried or it gets worse, ring 111 for advice.
good luck.

Take ibuprofen...that will take the swelling down and won't be so painful.

Take some ibuprofen if you can. Throat spray, strepsils etc as a starting point. I wouldn’t say a GP is required.

Sore throat can be a covid symptom, so do a test if you have one.

Ring for advice in the morning (111 or GP asking for a call back)

You'd be lucky if any gp currently gave you anti biotics for tonsillitis unless very recurrent or had not gone away after significantly longer than in your case. They are pretty stingy about these now

Thank you. I have taken liquid ibuprofen (adult dose), and paracetamol

Neither have helped at all but the pain isn’t horrific, just really really uncomfortable, like a frog is sitting in my throat

I think I’ll do a 111 NHS online assessment

Monday tomorrow, I'd do an online gp consultation if it's offered by your surgery

Last time I experienced this I called my GP surgery, explained my symptoms and that I thought it was tonsillitis, GP called back, agreed and sent prescription to chemist for collection.

If you still feel rough in the morning call your gp

I'd try a pharmacist in the morning, and only go to the GP if it gets a fair bit worse.

No sore throat or any symptoms before eating?
What we're you eating?
Any other strange feeling than a sore throat.. lips, mouth, tickling itching? Cough thoughts of chest?
I'm asking as I'm oral allergy syndrome which can be serious you could get a fluid filled blustery or blister s in the throat. Turrets look different to pustules but I'm not sure you'd be able to tell. It's slightly concerning you're saying it's at the exact time of eating.
Do you suffer Hayfever or other allergies?

Re the above if you are suspicious of any of the above keep antihistamines to hand and take a double dose of things worsen.

Useful to know what you were eating though.

Both covid and tonsillitis started like that for me

I had exactly the same symptoms 2 weeks ago …suddenly after chatting on phone my throat was very painful! I had regular ibuprofen and codeine for three days but the pain in the night was worse than tonsillitis and I literally couldn’t swallow saliva! Felt like a tight ring in my throat.
Saw GP and prescribed Pen V and the relief within 24 hrs was immeasurable,so my advice is to contact GP . My throat didn’t have any pus and I was apyrexial but the ABs did the trick!

111 or GP in the morning. DH had this and it was strep throat, they gave him antibiotics, codeine and a throat spray to help with the pain. Hope you feel better soon OP

Is this correct that I can see a small pimple of puss? Everywhere else in the back of the throat has nothing but for this one spot

This morning it’s getting really hard to even swallow :( Phoned 111 who’ve booked an emergency GP appointment for me. But I can’t see anything there other than this one spot. It’s odd as usually with tonsillitis there’s white blisters all over the tonsils etc

I've had sore throats come on very suddenly and they've just run their course. Why are you so worried? Do you feel very ill?

I often have tonsillitis. There's no way my GP would ever consider giving me antibiotics for one spot on the tonsils like that. They'd have to be covered in pus, accompanied by a high fever 39+ and been like that for 5 or more days. I'm surprised your Gp would to be honest. Yes pjs can be a sign of bacterial but not necessarily.

Pus not pjs!

That looks fine to me (A&E nurse and frequent tonsillitis sufferer!)

Go by your symptoms and if you feel dreadful call your GP, otherwise it'll probably go by itself with rest and fluids

That really doesn't look antibiotic worthy at the moment.

Me and my son have suffered terribly with tonsillitis. The last time the GP said if the antibiotics don't kick in overnight go to A&E as was developing a quinsey.

The last time I had a sire throat that came from nowhere (5 weeks ago) it turned very quickly in to COVID 😭

Ring 111 if your so concerned

I get antibiotics every time I've had tonsillitis, I get really unwell with it. Don't understand why so many of you are prepared to suffer in silence!