We’re on holiday, I think my dd has tonsillitis, but should he get tested??

[Dorisdaydream2]

As the title says really. We are on holiday in Devon. My ds has a sore throat and white spots all over his tonsils. He does not have a temperature or a cough. Is this most likely to be tonsillitis?? He’s had it before and it was exactly like this.

I don’t think he needs a test for a sore throat, but am wondering what others would do. If he has to be tested whilst we’re away do we have to go home?? We’ve been so looking forward to this holiday.

He doesn't need a test because he doesn't have covid-19 symptoms.

If he has a temperature, cough or loss of taste or smell get him tested. If not your okay.

No he does not need tested for a sore throat. The list of 3 symptoms to teast for is literally everywhere. Do not get a test if not one of those symptoms.

@raviolidreaming Please don't post misinformation about Covid in the middle of a pandemic! It is well established that a sore throat can be a symptom of Covid. Having said that, the official advice in this country (would be different in some others) is that a sore throat doesn't warrant a test.

covid.joinzoe.com/post/tips-covid-safety

Link to article produced by the Zoe app people at the start of July with a list of known Covid symptoms, listed in approximate order of how predictive they are of the disease.

OP, re your question about what I would do in your situation: taking account of the fact that your son has experienced identical symptoms before, I would not get him tested. BUT I would not take him anywhere where he will have close contact with others outside your household (eg restaurant, cafe, indoor attraction) and I would not send him to school unless either his symptoms had fully cleared up or he had had a negative test.

Sounds like tonsillitis to me. I had tonsil stones all over my tonsils along with puss, keep an eye out for that.

the advice where I am (not uk) would be to test and for the whole household to self isolate until all symptoms are gone.

OK, thank you, that’s what I thought. We won’t get him tested unless he develops a temperature a cough.

@LilyPond2 thank you. We had planned a quiet holiday anyway, just board games and long walks really, a chance to be away from home. We are self catering and won’t go anywhere for food etc. He won’t go back to school until he’s completely better or as you say he has had a negative test. I’m pretty sure it’s tonsillitis because of the white spots all over his tonsils.

Thank you to everyone who has responded.

Call your surgery and ask please. Or call the national helpline. Sore throat is not one of the official symptoms to be tested on. But sore throat is definitely a symptom otherwise. Better to get advice from someone professional as well.

Tonsillitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. However, if he has white spots it’s most likely to be bacterial. I suffer with repeated tonsillitis infections - this year I’ve pretty much had it constantly since February so if I isolated every time my throat hurt I would never leave the house!

I’ve had it twice in lockdown. I have actually tested both times because I’m a Zoe app user and they asked me to. However, it was so obviously tonsillitis I didn’t isolate as my symptoms were not Covid indicative.