Do my tonsils look infected?

[NCTDN]

Apologies as I'm going to post a photo that I attempted to take off my tonsils. It took about fifty attempts and still isn't great - looks more like the mouth of a horse!!
I've had flu and yesterday got a pharmacist to look at my throat as it's incredibly sore. He said there were no signs of infection. But now there's white spots on my tonsils. Does that mean they're infected?

Photo

Yes, I've had it previously and mine looked very like that. Please try and get some antibiotics ASAP.

Yes, I’d say so.

btw - easiest way to take a photo of your tonsils, hold your phone against a towel / your leg to force the flash on and start to take a video, move to your tonsils, then take a screenshot from the video

Ahh screenshot from the video. Good idea!
I really thought they were infected yesterday but then was told they're not. They definitely seem to worsen throughout the day. I'll go to the out of hours place tomorrow.

Yes if white spots you need antibiotics.

Just showed dh and he said they look fine!

The right side on the photo has white patches, and it looks like some are developing on the left.
You will probably need antibiotics so try and get seen. In the meantime gargling with salt water or soluble aspirin can help.

Whilst it does look like it could be bacterial, the tonsils don’t really look that swollen. Personally I would want to avoid antibiotic use if possible and just take pain killers, fluid and rest. Antibiotics after a viral infection will probably just wipe out your god bacteria, upset your stomach and reduce your response to antibiotics in future… many tonsillitis cases improve without the need for antibiotics, give it a few days. If you develop a new fever or earache or it becomes more difficult to swallow then reconsider.

Difflam spray is amazing. Amazingly awful to take - but works very well.

@CatPancake how do you get to the point of your throat that needs it?

Yes you may well have a viral infection. White spots does NOT mean you need antibiotics as the vast majority of tonsillitis gets better on its own and is viral.

If you’ve had the flu it’s most likely viral, health care professionals usually only give antibiotics if you score a certain number of points on the FeverPAIN score, there are some calculators online. You score a point for each thing, such as fever over 38, whether you have a cough or not etc. White spots on their own don’t indicate a need for antibiotics.

I used to get tonsils like that. The only way I could it was by taking antibiotics. It was horrid. Very sore and smelly! Had them taken out in my 20s. Best thing I ever did!

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3316/feverpain-score-strep-pharyngitis
You have to score at least 4 or 5

I'm currently using TCP to try and deal with mine. It seems to be helping. Dilute with water and gargle several times a day. If you accidentally swallow some it gives you mild abdominal pain.

I’d recommend difflam mouthwash and gargle it.

Im of the opinion that tonsillitis (yes even bacterial) is generally a self limiting illness and if you can avoid ABs I would. Of course, sometimes you can’t.