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Original poster

Would you race with tonsillitis?

22 replies

Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 22:37

I am so annoyed. I woke last night with really bad throat pain. I'd hoped it would be temporary but it is very much looking like tonsillitis. I have no other symptom beside the throat pain. Unfortunately last time I had this I tried to wait for it to pass and struggled for 2 weeks just to end up with quinsy.

So I have made an appointment for tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I will be prescribed antibiotics. I seem to remember getting better almost instantly last time.

I have a race on Sunday, AI says this would put me at risk of spreading infection etc etc and I usually err on the side of health anxiety! but really dont want to pull out, as my friend signed up because of me and we were going to run together.

What would you do? Absolutely hate being a letdown.

OP posts:
Oncemorewithsome · 03/07/2026 22:39

Sore throat, yes. If it turns into tonsillitis then it is absolutely excruciating, so no I wouldn’t.

Hope you feel better soon.

ShakyBake · 03/07/2026 22:41

Any chance you could find a temporary wheelchair for the day and have your friend push you? Might make it more memorable and possibly raise some cash too? How far is the race, road or trail?

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 22:42

Yes it is pretty excruciating, I have to psych myself up to swallow my saliva. I know this kind of pain only too well. It is just the fact that I otherwise feel OKish that's making me consider it. If the ABs take care of the pain then I have no reason not to run? I am not in bed with a high temperature or anything, just a little run down.

Thanks for the wishes!

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MyDayMyWay · 03/07/2026 22:43

Of course you shouldn't race.

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 22:45

ShakyBake · 03/07/2026 22:41

Any chance you could find a temporary wheelchair for the day and have your friend push you? Might make it more memorable and possibly raise some cash too? How far is the race, road or trail?

Less than 10k, mostly road, hence I am sure I could get it completed but equally don't want to take unnecessary risks. I am rubbish at making decisions like this.

OP posts:
Arran2024 · 03/07/2026 22:51

I had a quinsy once so I know exactly how it feels. It needs seeing to and you shouldn't run - i thought i was okay in myself when I had mine, but it was the weekend and I thought I would see the GP on the Monday. But I literally collapsed on the Sunday morning and had to be rushed into A& E. I was admitted and spent 2 days in hospital. I would say don't risk it but also see if you can have your tonsils removed.

mynameiscalypso · 03/07/2026 22:52

Last time I had tonsillitis, I tried to ignore it and ended up signed off work for a month. I really wouldn’t risk it.

nocoolnamesleft · 03/07/2026 22:54

What frustrating timing. Missing the race would be a shame, but collapsing half way round would be worse...

Ineffable23 · 03/07/2026 22:55

Why not go and be prepared to walk it/jog it/not not finish it? I don't think you're likely to be hugely infectious so as long as you pace yourself and really force yourself to consider how your body is doing, I think that would be a reasonable approach.

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 22:58

Thank you all, I know you are right unfortunately and it is making me want to cry! I also had plans tomorrow that I have had to cancel too so I can get to the appointment.

Most weekends are spent not doing very much, running errands and running after the kids and this was literally the first weekend in ever that I had something planned for myself on both days and DH was going to look after the kids.

Can't believe the shitty timing. I know there are many worse things in the world so I'm sure I'll feel more positive in the morning, but feeling really sorry for myself right now. Urgh.

OP posts:
FlimFlamFlomFlemFlum · 03/07/2026 23:00

I’ve had tonsillitis loads. The last time I was bored of it and worked through it BUT I know exactly what to expect now. The issue isn’t your throat, it’s the fever and lightheadedness. Racing, especially in the recent heat, with those is likely to cause you issues. Personally, I wouldn’t bother.

Sorry that it’s combat this time.

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 23:05

FlimFlamFlomFlemFlum · 03/07/2026 23:00

I’ve had tonsillitis loads. The last time I was bored of it and worked through it BUT I know exactly what to expect now. The issue isn’t your throat, it’s the fever and lightheadedness. Racing, especially in the recent heat, with those is likely to cause you issues. Personally, I wouldn’t bother.

Sorry that it’s combat this time.

Edited

Thank you. If it is bacterial and I get put on antibiotics though, do you think I could be OK enough after 24 hours? If I don't have a fever by then, it is a good sign? I do feel a bit rundown/achey but have no actual temperature.

OP posts:
FlimFlamFlomFlemFlum · 03/07/2026 23:13

Whyohtonsil · 03/07/2026 23:05

Thank you. If it is bacterial and I get put on antibiotics though, do you think I could be OK enough after 24 hours? If I don't have a fever by then, it is a good sign? I do feel a bit rundown/achey but have no actual temperature.

Show quote history

It depends on how it affects you. My dc also gets tonsillitis regularly and doesn’t feel the really bad affects until day 3 or 4, it’s normally just tiredness and a sore throat the first few days then it hits and he is very poorly.
If you get antibiotics then normally once they kick in you feel much better but that doesn’t mean a run in the heat will be safe! I would err on the side of caution to be honest! Sorry

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 04/07/2026 01:36

I have had a couple of hours sleep and the pain is now excruciating. Now thinking there is no way I will be in shape on Sunday, I don't even know how I will manage to wait for my appointment.... i don't remember it being so painful last time even when quinsy had set in so that is a worry.

OP posts:
Arran2024 · 04/07/2026 15:43

Whyohtonsil · 04/07/2026 01:36

I have had a couple of hours sleep and the pain is now excruciating. Now thinking there is no way I will be in shape on Sunday, I don't even know how I will manage to wait for my appointment.... i don't remember it being so painful last time even when quinsy had set in so that is a worry.

You may have to go to A&E. I had mine drained there and I was still very ill because enough pus trickled down into my body - if it bursts and you get the whole lot, that would be really serious. Also they can grow too big and block your airways. This could be an emergency.

daisychain01 · 04/07/2026 15:58

Listen to your body. Your tonsils serve a purpose, they are there to deal with infection. Racing puts untold and needless stress on your body. It would be unwise to do that if you don't have to.

PersephoneParlormaid · 04/07/2026 15:59

No, exercise when ill can put a strain on your heart.

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 05/07/2026 00:50

Just to update that I have pulled out of the race, it definitely was ambitious to think I could do it! Thanks for the advice.

I saw an out of hours GP today who confirmed no absess/quinsy and prescribed antibiotics but she said to try to wait 48 hours before taking them as she thinks it may just be viral.

So I am trying to hold out but this is night 3 and the worst I have felt so far in terms of being feverish/achey/headache. I am still finding the stabbing pain unbearable and wondering if I am just being a baby as she didn't think my tonsils looked that bad 😕

I also struggle to close my mouth, my jaw muscles are sore.

If it is viral, any chance I will start feeling better by tomorrow?

OP posts:
Arran2024 · 05/07/2026 08:32

Whyohtonsil · 05/07/2026 00:50

Just to update that I have pulled out of the race, it definitely was ambitious to think I could do it! Thanks for the advice.

I saw an out of hours GP today who confirmed no absess/quinsy and prescribed antibiotics but she said to try to wait 48 hours before taking them as she thinks it may just be viral.

So I am trying to hold out but this is night 3 and the worst I have felt so far in terms of being feverish/achey/headache. I am still finding the stabbing pain unbearable and wondering if I am just being a baby as she didn't think my tonsils looked that bad 😕

I also struggle to close my mouth, my jaw muscles are sore.

If it is viral, any chance I will start feeling better by tomorrow?

I guess try the antibiotics now to see if that helps. Sorry it's so painful. Does it hurt all the time or just when you swallow?

Girasoli · 05/07/2026 08:37

I wouldn't. The last time DH tried to 'power through' tonsillitis he ended up getting sent to A&E to have antibiotics on a drip and his throat lanced/drained (not really sure what it's called but it involved a big needle).

Original poster
Whyohtonsil · 05/07/2026 12:48

Arran2024 · 05/07/2026 08:32

I guess try the antibiotics now to see if that helps. Sorry it's so painful. Does it hurt all the time or just when you swallow?

Show quote history

Just when I swallow but there is constant mild throbbing too. I got lots of sleep this morning and feel a lot better for it but I now have the weird muffled hot potato voice and it looks more swollen than yesterday. It is weirdly much less painful though which is a huge relief!

OP posts:
Mischance · 05/07/2026 16:06

Of course not. Tonsillitis is not just a sore throat. It has systemic effects.

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