To use 111 online - not covid related

[Orgasmrendition]

Hi All,

For the last two days, I think I've had tonsillitis, 3rd time in 5 months. But this time just feels so much worse, I'm unable to sleep and when I do fall asleep I wake up gagging after 5 minutes, I've been unable to eat or drink anything and everytime I try to swallow, I gag and throw up.

My husband feels I should contact 111 just to make sure it is tonsillitis but I think with the strain on the NHS at the moment I should just get on with it and hope it improves over the next couple of days.

Iabu - use 111 online
Ianbu - give it a couple more days

I recently had to use it - you put in all your symptoms and it then tells you what to do - in my case it was call an ambulance - in yours it may be see your GP - so why would you not? If it is something else that could have been easily treated if caught early you could be putting MORE strain on the NHS by NOT getting it sorted...

111 online is a computer program - it's not an actual NHS person sitting answering your questions, so I'm with your DH, give it a go. If you need medical help, it will tell you to phone, and then you'll know you genuinely need the help. Hope you feel better soon!

I would call - not to be alarmist but I had tonsillitis that developed into an abcess (very quickly) and was sent straight to A&E by my GP where they admitted me and put me on IV steroids, antibiotics and painkillers (and drained the abcess) - it is considered an emergency as your airway can become obstructed.

The key red flag symptoms were being unable to swallow even my own saliva and what they called ‘hot potato’ speech (literally struggling to speak as if I had a hot potato in my mouth!).

Hopefully it’s not that but sounds like you should get medical advice.

Thank you. I didnt realise that it was a computer programme so will use it now!

Should add - good news is I was home in 24 hours feeling relatively much better (but was signed off work for a couple of weeks and needed to rest a lot).

There have been doctors in the news recently urging people to continue using the NHS services for regular non-covid issues. Apparently some people (including kids) have been letting things get really bad before seeking medic help. If you think you have tonsillitis it's better to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Please use it, last time I had tonsillitis it was like that and I ended up on double penicillin and codine. I think you need some medical advice.

same as @beckyboom, it was Quincy (think thats how you spell it). I've had tonsillitis a few times, this was much worse and you need to be seen.

Yes that’s it - a quinsy. Such a whimsical sounding word for something so painful!

Honestly, a minor problem easily sorted by the NHS now is preferable to an emergency in a week or so. I've no idea if your symptoms could be a problem but give it a go and if you need help get it now.

Please contact 111. I suffered terribly with tonsillitis and it ended up as quinsy, it can be really serious. I had my tonsils removed after that (in my 30's).

it could be covid some people only display sore throat.

Also if it’s Quinsy you need penicillin quickly!!!