To go to the GP with a sore throat?

[neonyellowshoes]

Can't talk, can't swallow or sleep for the pain.

Even so, is there any point bothering a GP? Feel guilty doing so but I've known pain like it!

Yes I would go it could be tonsilitis and you might need antibiotics

Yes I probably would to rule out tonsil abscess. Feel better soon.

Google centor criteria. If you have a measured temp, white spots on your tonsils, tender glands in the neck and no cough then maybe. 85% are viral.

How long have you had it? What have you tried?

Unless you have had it for a good few days and have tried everything I wouldn’t. Painkillers, fluids and something like difflam spray

You should absolutely go and get it checked
out. If it’s tonsilitis, you will need antibiotics. Gargle with lukewarm salty water in the meantime. Get well soon!

Yes if you can’t swallow. That’s not going to get better on its own. Don’t leave it, it could develop into a Quinsy which can be serious. You need an emergency appointment.

Can you see any pus on your tonsils?

My dr uses the following criteria to issue antibiotics:

No cough
Had it for more than three days
Pus

No cough. Tried everything (even an old packet of codiene in the back of medicine cabinet).

How the bloody hell do you view your own tonsils?

Had it two days. Don't have time for this bollox!

Also earache

If it’s tonsilitis, you will need antibiotics.

this is such a silly statement.
most will go away on their own, even if the infection is bacterial. our bodies are amazing at hesling themselves.

I agree with a previous poster: take painkillers, get difflam spray, gargle with warm salt water.

hope you feel better soon.

If you really can’t swallow and the pain is really that bad I would go to the GP.

I had similar earlier in the year and turned out to be bacterial tonsillitis and a quinsy (abscess).

Obviously most sore throats are viral but consultant in hospital (was admitted to get rid of the quinsy) said the very severe pain and total inability to swallow are markers for a quinsy (which is easily dealt with but needs medical attention).

Try going to a pharmacist? It may help and doctors are usually much more receptive if they know you've tried that option first.

If it is a bad as you are saying please get checked, if you have any difficulty breathing emergency care now. Some might think that is an over reaction but if your breathing is being compromised the consequences could be unthinkable.

As to how you see your tonsils they'll be the very obvious star trek planet looking disgusting swellings at the back of your tongue/top of your throat!

Bluerunningshoes it’s not a silly statement at all. I had a tonsillitis that turned into a tonsil abscess. I ended up in a hospital and it took two courses of antibiotics to get rid of it.

Why would you feel guilty going the dr? It’s their job, people go with extremely minor problems?
If you can see puss, you probably need antibiotics

I'd go.
In the meantime get some tyrozets from the pharmacy, great for a sore throat.

No appointments until the end of days. Decision made for me.

Pharmacy first ? Then GP if they advise. Some ‘regular’ sore throats can be absolutely vile but clear up without issue, or like others say it could well be tonsillitis. So hard to tell if you can barely open your mouth.

We often wait now until our surgery hands over to OOH at 6,30pm. If you phone then, you can usually get seen straightaway. Our surgery is fine for routine appointments but not urgent care.

Yes for most tonsillitis is viral, an inconvenience and means a few rough days in bed. It equally can lead to a quinsy and be very serious. But only a trained medic can tell you that's what it is. I'd try and get seen if you're in a lot of pain still. Hope you feel better soon.

I Would. There is a lot of scarlet fever around atm which means there must also be a lot of strep throat. Antibiotics could be needed if that’s the case

Possibly strep throat - like swallowing glass.
I'd get it checked out.
Google strep throat

I would go or at least phone 111. If you have had it for a long time and it had not budged it could be a sign of an underlying issue, most probably it’s not but it’s not nice to feel unwell. I would also try gargling aspirin, that works for me!

I once went to the doctors for a blister on my foot! I felt ridiculous for going because it was just a blister, however I was in so much pain with it, could not wear shoes and it had not healed after three weeks! It turns out when I got to the doctors it was really badly infected, and it was causing a lot of other issues and I had to go on antibiotics and have it dressed. So again don’t feel silly for going it’s what they are there for!

Hope you’re feeling better soon xx

2 of my family have been hospitalised 're quinsy.. pls get an emergency appt and just get checked out