Tonsillitis

[Madmog]

I'm fairly sure my 13 year old daughter has tonsillitis, she said her throat was really sore yesterday and it felt the same as it did six months ago when she had tonsillitis for the first time. She had a headache this morning, isn't eating much, one of her tonsils looked like it's got a good sized ulcer on it and she thinks she's got a cold coming.

Would you try and get her a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning? Looking at advice online they seem to say to leave it a few days. Last time I took her after 4-5 days (just thinking it was a sore throat) and I had the feeling I should have gone earlier.

Has she got a high temperature? Can she swallow fluids easily?
I would be a bit concerned by the ulcer on the tonsil to be honest, is it yellow or oozing?
I think I would be tempted to try the out of hours Drs or walk in centre today based on the ulcer to be honest. Sounds to me as though she may have a bacterial infection needing antibiotics, but it is hard to tell without seeing her in person.

No, she hasn't got a temperature (she didn't last time she had it though). The ulcer looks white to me. She's not eating or drinking much, which is understandable, although, I do keep encouraging her to drink.

As a family we don't often ask for a doctor's appointment, so it helps knowing that someone else feels we should at least get her checked out.

Definitely keep encouraging the fluids, and get her seen today or in the morning. I wouldn't leave it 4 days. I know some people would, but I think the fact she has an ulcer is enough reason to get some advice from a Dr. It is not an A&E job, but certainly within the remit of out of hours or walk in. You could ring NHS direct for advice and see what they advise.
Hope she is feeling better soon x

Thank you. I'm not one for rushing to the doctor, so have left it until this morning. Have now spoken to a doctor who said they are happy to see her in clinic this morning. Left her to sleep on this morning and throat is still very sore. She seems happy enough in herself though. I know tonsillitis can re-occur, so will ask doctor how soon she should be seen in the future (especially if they think it's viral this time and won't prescribe ABs) and guidelines on time off school.

I regularly get tonsillitis and need antibiotics. Generally I hang off until my tonsils turn white and spotty then head in .

Thanks. It looked like she had an ulcer on one of her tonsils yesterday, but the doctor says they just look red. However, she does have white ulcer like marks on her throat now so has a pain and antiseptic mouthwash for those. She got me to have a good look at her tonsils while we were there, so I know if there is any change, in which case she needs to go back.

are they ulcers or blisters?? Google canker sores .

Thanks for that. They do look a bit like canker sores (never heard of them before). She says it feels a bit better today, although, she now has a proper cold. Obviously I need to do some reading up on canker sores and tonsillitis so I know for the future. She was also given an antiseptic mouthwash to gargle (which apparently can be bought over the counter if needed), so this may be worth getting if it happens again.