7 year old with tonsillitis, wondering whether to see OOH GP

[Chris2315]

My 7 year old son has had tonsillitis for about 5 days now, the first day or two he was also vomiting and had a fairly high temperature. I took him to our GP who said they’re uncertain if it’s viral or bacterial but to look for the development of a cough (sign it’s viral) or pus in his throat. He does have a cough now (mainly at night) and his throat still hurts and has swollen tonsils, but he is much more himself and happy.

But looking in his throat I can’t tell if it has pus - it looks whiteish but it might be normal? The first picture is from Thursday (day 2) and the second is from yesterday (day 4)

Also yesterday I noticed a big clump of wax in his ear, and this morning his ear has been ‘leaking’ waxy fluid. He has no pain at all in there. Could this be normal with to tonsillitis?

That looks viral to me

Recurrent tonsillitis sufferer here - I would wait til Tuesday morning if he's ok in himself. Only worth seeing a GP with v high temp and /vomiting too or so painful unable to take good amounts of fluids. Otherwise highly likely viral and will be better in a few days.

Sorry should say if *still vomiting etc

Today is day five, it’s worth a call to out of hour’s service.

Thanks all, he stopped vomiting on day 2 and has been eating and drinking completely normally. He just says his throats a bit sore and he sounds nasally but he’s out playing and seems fine.

We’re going on a short theme park break on Tuesday which I booked ages ago so praying it doesn’t get worse!

I'm also a long term tonsillitis sufferer and I cannot see any white pus in those tonsils although they do still look large. You really know when they have pus on - it's extremely clear.

If he's eating and drinking normally and has no temperature then I'd say he's on the mend. If his throat is still sore he can gargle with salt water solution or take pain killers (ibuprofen works best for me).

It can take time for the tonsils to return to normal size.

Thanks for that, he’s been pretty much his normal self today other than sounding nasally and he’s not wanting Calpol anymore, so hoping he’s recovered 😊 do you ever have trouble with your ears though? Like leaking liquidy wax?