Do I need to self isolate ?

[Anon00]

I have symptoms (sore throat, slight cough, general unwell achy feeling) however I get tonsillitis multiple times a year and have done for as long as I can remember and this is 100% tonsillitis. I obviously can’t be diagnosed because I can’t get to a gp so do I need to isolate even though I can guarantee it’s not corona

Just get a test?

@notanotheronepleasee

Just get a test?

Well yes, but I also have somewhere important to be at 9am and I’m wondering if I need to isolate or if I can go

No, you don't NEED to isolate because you don't have symptoms of covid. You might like to do so, anyway though.

You don’t need to isolate with those symptoms

Do you have cover symptoms? A continuous cough, temperature or loss of taste?

If so isolate other than getting test. If not no need to isolate or for test.

If you have a cough then yes you need to isolate and get tested. I know you are convinced it’s tonsillitis but many people are convinced they just have a cold and it’s turned out to be Covid. There is no way to be 100% certain it’s not Covid unless you have a test to prove that’s the case. I would cancel your 9am plans.

You dont have any covid symptoms so no

Why can’t you see a GP to treat the tonsillitis ?

I obviously can’t be diagnosed because I can’t get to a gp

Why not? They can confirm tonsilitis and treat it. Surely you have antibiotics for it each time you get it?

Is the cough continuous? Look up the definition.

If not, no, although is tonsillitis contagious? And is your important place to be going to risk passing that on?

Look at the Covid symptoms on the NHS page and see if you meet the criteria.

You can still get in touch with your GP and get treatment for tonsillitis.

My DD had antibiotics for tonsillitis during lockdown- Dr requested a photo via secure email. Maybe ring the surgery?

If you have a new cough you need to isolate and get tested.

You don’t necessarily need antibiotics for tonsillitis - most bouts in adults it doesn’t shorten the illness.
You could ring the surgery but this won’t tell you if it is definitely not covid.

In order to be safe, you should probably seek advice (eg from gp via telephone consult or 111) and isolate until you get the advice. The person you are meeting at 9am probably would not thank you if you later test positive.

However if you get the advice and it says you don’t need to isolate, you have medical advice to back you up. If you know the person well, I would perhaps tell them you have these symptoms and the advice you got. Some people are fine and others are super careful because they live with vulnerable people.

Why wouldn’t you want to pass on covid but be happy to share tonsillitis? Surely if there is one thing we should have learned via the who Covid fiasco is that we need to stop having the attitude that illness doesn’t matter and we should keep calm and carry on. No. If we are ill we should stay home and get well and stop spreading our germs.

Your GP probably won’t see you as you have a cough and will tell you to get a test. If that comes back negative then they may see you. With tonsillitis you do get a temperature, which is another covid symptom. Do you have the white spots at the back of the throat, that’s one way to tell.
But nobody can guarantee they haven’t got covid, unless they are tested.

@Isadora2007

Why wouldn’t you want to pass on covid but be happy to share tonsillitis? Surely if there is one thing we should have learned via the who Covid fiasco is that we need to stop having the attitude that illness doesn’t matter and we should keep calm and carry on. No. If we are ill we should stay home and get well and stop spreading our germs.

Excuse me but please do even the tiniest bit of research or a single google search before accusing me of being careless and happy to make others sick. Tonsillitis is not infectious, sometimes the infection that causes it are but mine is it as I get it from my wisdom teeth. Something we should also take from Covid is to all be a community and kind to one another

Why would you need to isolate if your 100% sure it's tonsillitis?

Why would you need to isolate if your 100% sure it's tonsillitis?

Surely op can't be 100% sure til they've seen a GP

Why would you need to isolate if your 100% sure it's tonsillitis?

She could have tonsillitis and Covid.

I agree, my point is how can she be sure

@Anon00 i don’t think it’s tonsillitis then if you’re saying it is referred pain from your wisdom teeth? And you say you’ve been getting “tonsillitis” as long as you can remember- which surely can’t ALL have been from your wisdom teeth?
So in this case whatever had caused your tonsillitis may well be contagious- as in another virus or infection which is why the advice with tonsillitis IS to avoid contact with other people to avoid spreading infections.

I would (and have) isolated for a slight cough. But also tonsillitis can be horrible. I would be having some duvet days and see how it pans out.