99% sure its tonsilitis- would you bother going to GP?

[plusonemore]

ds2 has been quite poorly with tonsilitis, its also gone to his chest and ears. Have spent a few hours in hospital with him on Saturday as his temp wouldnt come down. He is on anti-biotics and much much better today

ds1 came down with it this morning. His tonsils are huge with some white pus spots on. Sice ds2 being ill i have read (on internet) that anti-biotics are pretty useless so it seems little point in taking ds1 to have it officially diagnosed. He has had a temp of 38-39 today, it has come down a little with paracetemol/ibuprofen each time. He has sore throat, swollen glands and sore tummy from the glands there. WWYD?

I'd take him.

Better to take advice from a doctor who has examined him than from the internet.

If temp is reaching 39, there is a fair chance it is bacterial rather than viral.

I would do exactly what you're doing. You're right - most episodes of tonsillitis are viral and so anti biotics won't make any difference. As long as the paracetamol and brufen are keeping the temperature under control, I would just stick it out with my DSes. And make sure they drink lots.

Hope they get well soon.

aaaaahhhhhhh!
but thanks

I was told by my gp that red tonsils = viral and pus on tonsils = bacterial and that bacterial needs antibiotics

Bacterial tonsillitus is horrible, I've had it numerous times, I personally would get rid in the quickest way possible

agree with scaredoflove - white pus spots = bacterial and I'd get straight down the gp, get started on antibiotics asap because bacterial tonsilitis hurts and makes you feel dreadful, but the antibiotics work fabulously. I've had it a bunch of times too.

Ooh, yes, the puss is awful.

You tend to get realy stinky breath with it too, which is a bit of a give away.

I'd still get it checked.

I left my dd's sore throat and turns out she has scarlet fever which only ab's can shift. Get him seen.

oh yes, he does have very stinky breath
thanks all

My dd's also turned into scarlet fever a couple weeks ago and she was really poorly, best to get it sorted with Anti-b's.

white spots on tonsills = antibiotics I would take him to GP
Myself DS and DH have all just got over it and have all had abx, it's not a nice thing

My ds and me had these symptoms and it was scarlet fever as marne and small say only anti biot will clear it, I was very ill.

PLEASE take to GP, really sorry for shouty caps but bacterial tonsilitis was one of the worst experiences I've ever had and it absolutely does need ABs. Sooner the better as they take 3 days to kick in. I nearly ended up in hosp, had dreadful pain and no food for a full week, it was appalling. Hope not as bad for your DS!

And sometimes even liquids are too painful to swallow if it's very bad, so try jellies cold from fridge - easier to manage and help a wee bit with hydration.

i know i know
dont know why i didnt today really...prob cos i feel i have been there constantly recently. He has been up and down today, eaten spoadically (pancakes for breakfast, ice cream for lunch, 1 petit filous for tea) poor boy

they can swab at the docs if necessary

they did this with dd (was quite surprised as our doctors not ones for handing out antibs) - they took a swab and called me back a day later to tell me it was tonsilitis that could be shifted with antibs (I guess they were testing for some bacteria)

(they had already put her on antibs for chest/ear infection so just added another script on)

she had no pus or spots or anything but her tonsils were incredibly swollen.

I don't know if the white spots definitely means bacterial you know (disclaimer, am not medical!). I have had the pus on my throat and the white and not got antibs and it's cleared up but v v painful.

(what I mean is I think the white spots/pus normally mean it's tonsilitis but aren't an indicator of whether it's bacterial or viral)

yes fox, thats what i have understood from extensive internet research! think they tend to give anti biotics as a cover all, saw details of one study that seemed to show it didnt affect recovery time whether you had ant-b's or not. But i will def go tomorrow!

Went, got anti biotics, which he hates. Seems much better today. Thanks for all advice x

If he is improving already without the ABs having had much time to work, hopefully it won't be too terrible for too much longer