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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Antibiotics for Tonsillitis?

85 replies

Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 16:53

DS is quite poorly this weekend with occasional perk up when ibuprofen has well and truly kicked in.

Tonsils covered in white, high fever (been over 38.5 most of day with alternating calpol and nurofen). Calpol not doing a lot. Nurofen giving him a couple of hours relief but he can't have any more until later tonight. Been crying in pain at times with his head and legs feel like jelly. He is not struggling with light etc so I am not worried about anything more serious.

111 passed us over to pharmacist. I was expecting a prescription of Penicillin but nope, it seems he doesn't need it because he is not struggling to breathe and he has eaten (he had a bit of lunch when nurofen kicked in).

He's now back to fever and shivering and in more pain.

He doesn't have a cold or a cough. I do think it's bacterial tonsillitis (not an expert but from my experience with my 2 DC).

Would you go back to 111?

I'm trying not to be a neurotic mum and it's a while since one of my kids have been poorly. But we have always had antibiotics before.

He's been tested for Covid and it's negative.

Just wondering what others would do as this is the 1st time any of my DC has had a fever during the pandemic and its obviously not as easy to access treatment as before.

OP posts:
ThreeLittleDots · 09/10/2021 17:23

draggondragon

The person has eaten, has a low-grade fever and pain which is responding to Ibuprofen.

This isn't a medical emergency.

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 09/10/2021 17:24

@Draggondragon

Fuck, with a few thousand miles distance, I literally can't believe you people put up with this shot some off you are so conditioned to avoid bothering the doctor and avoid the actual meds you need it's ridiculous. Nowhere else with any type of civilisation plays games with lives and wellbeing like this.
You ok hun? Hmm

It's very usual to have viral throat infection that doesn't need to be treated with antibiotics.

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 09/10/2021 17:26

@careerchangeperhaps

DS suffered with frequent tonsillitis (to the point of needing them removed when he was 5). GP was reluctant to prescribe antibiotics and in all honesty, there was very little difference in the recovery time from the times when he had them and when he didn't. Keep a close eye on him and if you think he's getting worse, then phone back. Keep on top of the pain with paracetamol / ibuprofen and make sure he's getting sufficient fluids (ice lollies are good if he's finding it difficult to swallow).
It isn't just above recovery time. It's about being able to eat, drink and breath during that time.

"Very little difference" is a huge difference for someone who is suddenly unable to do one or all of those things.
And you can't predict which way it will go if you don't treat an infection.

mummyh2016 · 09/10/2021 17:29

If it's viral tonsillitis antibiotics won't do anything, you do need to be seen by a doctor though in order to establish if it is viral or bacterial though. Tonsillitis is horrendous, I do fully sympathise.

greenlynx · 09/10/2021 17:30

I would call Out of hours GP and ask to see him or they might send AB prescription to the nearest pharmacy.
He’s ill and needs proper advice from a qualified doctor.

FleasInMyKnees · 09/10/2021 17:32

He is shivering because of a high temperature, he is crying with pain, poor lad needs medical examination and treatment.

Original poster
Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 17:35

@jacks11

Not every case of tonsillitis - even if it is bacterial- if left untreated is going to end in hospitalisation. Obviously, if you feel he is deteriorating or want a second opinion, that’s fine. But I would highlight that not everyone needs antibiotics- only those with severe cases (feverPAIN of 4-5/5 or centor score of 3 or 4) are advised to be given antibiotics immediately.
What would these be out of interest? I don't know what his pain level would be. I do know he's like me and has a higher pain tolerance than many

He is in more pain and more poorly that he was last time he had antibiotics (that was Scarlet Fever though so automatically antibiotics).

The problem is he doesn't get ill. Any time he is ill he normally ends up with antibiotics even when he's not poorly.

I will give 111 a call again as his temp is 38.4 90 mins after calpol and he now has a sore tummy again (which I know is probably linked to the tonsillitis).

OP posts:
User5827372728 · 09/10/2021 17:37

Depends if it’s viral or bacterial

Draggondragon · 09/10/2021 17:41

Fine thanks sweetie, just think that people have lost the plot Biscuit

Original poster
Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 17:45

@Draggondragon

Fine thanks sweetie, just think that people have lost the plot Biscuit
No I haven't.

I have never had this issue before. Normally been able to access services quickly and without delay.

I think I just got a shit pharmacist.

Ultimately though there are a few routes I can go down to get treatment.

He's not dying, he's just in a wee bit of pain and feels crap. I think he needs ab's and I believe he will have them by the end of the day.

If he doesn't actually need them, then we'll ride it out.

OP posts:
H0cusP0cus · 09/10/2021 17:46

I would get seen by someone Op.
DS was also hospitalised with it.
We got told at first it was viral. He declined rapidly and ended up in hosp.

ThreeLittleDots · 09/10/2021 17:47

Are you using Calpol & Ibuprofen at the same time, and also using Difflam spray?

ThreeLittleDots · 09/10/2021 17:48

I only ask as our GP would only give out abx if the pain was uncontrollable

Original poster
Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 17:50

@ThreeLittleDots

Are you using Calpol & Ibuprofen at the same time, and also using Difflam spray?
I will try and get some Difflam.

No we weren't- I forgot we could. It's been a while. But we are maxed out with Nurofen now. So need to wait a few more hours before I can give that again. So it's only Calpol for the minute.

OP posts:
DeepaBeesKit · 09/10/2021 17:50

The problem is that while its unpleasant to suffer through a bout of tonsillitis, in many cases the cause is often viral OR is of a severity where the patient's own immune system will beat it in a week or two.

Constantly using antibiotics for this sort of thing massively increases antibiotic resistance.
It kills off good bacteria in your body which help keep nasties at bay.
It kills off weaker strains of bacteria and leaves resistant ones with no competition.

There are very, very good reasons why we should all be resisting taking antibiotics until we absolutely NEED them.

ThreeLittleDots · 09/10/2021 17:50

But 111 can advise on painkillers. Some GPs prefer alternating but would rather up painkillers safely than abx.

DeepaBeesKit · 09/10/2021 17:52

Op also look online for the weight based dosages of paracetamol and calpol. Depending on your child's age & weight the amount on the bottle can be as little as half the weight based dose. If that's the case, ask your GP if a higher dose might be appropriate, especially if it's only giving a couple of hours of relief.

Etonmessisyum · 09/10/2021 17:53

Sometimes they aren’t needed, in meantime sugary juice, continue your pain relief - if you know his weight you could check with dr he’s getting the best doses for his weight rather than his age. Difflam spray, it’s not nice but works well for most kids. I wouldn’t worry about eating for now as long as he’s drinking.

However if he needs antibiotics he needs them, usually a bad sore throat should get be getting better after 3/4 days not worse. My son needed them when he was younger, poor soul was just in agony and I took him to the gp because I felt I was doing as much as I could in the house and it wasn’t helping and I was worried. So hopefully your son is feeling better very soon

Original poster
Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 17:55

@DeepaBeesKit

Op also look online for the weight based dosages of paracetamol and calpol. Depending on your child's age & weight the amount on the bottle can be as little as half the weight based dose. If that's the case, ask your GP if a higher dose might be appropriate, especially if it's only giving a couple of hours of relief.
Thanks for that suggestion. He is not far off the age where the dose would change anyway so will do.
OP posts:
SergeiL · 09/10/2021 17:57

@jacks11 wrote exactly what I was going to say. I don’t know why people are taking it personally and having a go. It is exactly what it says on the NHS website.

Original poster
Ohsofedupwiththis · 09/10/2021 18:02

[quote SergeiL]@jacks11 wrote exactly what I was going to say. I don’t know why people are taking it personally and having a go. It is exactly what it says on the NHS website.[/quote]
Me? Having a go? I wasn't but never mind......

The online NHS quiz for 111 suggested he should see a Dr today. I want someone to assess him properly. If they decide antibiotics aren't necessary then fine, but I want advice about what pain relief I can use on him.

Last time he had Scarlet Fever / tonsillitis it lasted over 2 weeks and he needed more antibiotics as it was worsening again.

OP posts:
delilahbucket · 09/10/2021 18:03

They really don't like giving antibiotics without seeing if it clears itself. Give ibuprofen and Calpol at the same time. I always found the only thing I could swallow was milkshake, the really thick fresh stuff in glass bottles. It coats the throat as it goes down and the cold numbs it a bit. How old is he? Just wondering if he's old enough for stronger painkillers.

idontgetpaidenoughforthis · 09/10/2021 18:09

I would take him to walk in centre tonight. Stress pain/fever not controlled.

MyrealnameisBernard · 09/10/2021 18:10

Id get an appointment if I were you too. He sounds like he's struggling

Draggondragon · 09/10/2021 18:10

The NHS website isn't all that good, it is there to save money. In the normal world a child sees a doctor when they are ill. This slavish devotion to the NHS is nuts.