Covid or tonsilitis?

[AngelMint]

I feel lousy. Tired, heavy bones, lightedness, and sore throat which is quite like when I had tonsilitis a few weeks ago. The sore throat is making me cough.

I have done 3 LFTs and they're all negative, but I feel if I phone the GP for antibiotics tomorrow, they're going to say Covid first.

Only a pcr test can rule out covid. Lateral flows aren’t as sensitive so their primary purpose is to pick up asymptomatic cases that would otherwise be missed. I hope you feel better soon.

One of the most common signs of tonsillitis is white spots at the back of the mouth on either side of the tonsils. Did you have antibiotics last time and if so maybe you need a longer course to get rid of the infection that is still lingering.

Based on the cough alone, you need a PCR. In general, whether covid or (viral) tonsillitis, you will need to treat with painkillers and rest. If bacterial tonsillitis, you might benefit from antibiotics but it is also likely to pass in due course regardless.

Honestly, just do a pcr. A bit miserable when you are feeling poorly I know but then you can ring the doctor and bypass the COVID question straight away.

@Rainbowsandstorms

Only a pcr test can rule out covid. Lateral flows aren’t as sensitive so their primary purpose is to pick up asymptomatic cases that would otherwise be missed. I hope you feel better soon.

This.

If you have symptoms you need a PCR (and even they can give false negatives).

I hope you feel better soon.

LFDs are not meant for symptomatic testing. That is made very clear. If you have symptoms you should take a PCR test even if you are certain your symptoms are not caused by covid.

I managed to get a PCR at 5pm! Fingers crossed results back this evening/early morning. I really feel crap.

Can you photograph the back of your throat to see if the white spots are there?

Who cares, either way your not well so stay home. You don't need a test to tell you your unwell

I'm sorry you're feeling so rubbish.

I hope whatever it is you feel better soon

I couldn't see any white spots when I was craning, phone is a good idea. I had my first post-lockdown yoga class booked for this evening as well.

I'd have thought the doctor would see you with symptoms like that, if the cough is only due to a sore throat.

I took DS to the doctor with a persistent cough recently and covid wasn't mentioned once.

My DD has had tonsillitis 3x since March 😭 Our doctor saw us all 3 times without a covid test.. but we did have to go to the red zone round the back!

Sounds like tonsillitis to me, there is a lot of it going around at the moment. I had a really sore throat for a couple of days last week and a bit of a temperature exactly like when I have had tonsillitis 6 times before. I didn’t do a covid test because believe it or not there are still other illnesses around we don’t need to dash out for a test every time we get the slightest sniffle or sore throat!

Dd has just had tonsillitis. Getting an appointment was a mission 🙄 but weneventually managed. They wouldn't look in her mouth and instead looked at the photos I'd taken! (For the best throat photos, use a flash and say ahhhh!)

We need to see the GP on a very regular basis with DC for respiratory infections and given the symptoms obviously they won't see without a PCR test however they can refer to a covid centre that will see in person without the PCR result.
Now as soon as the first signs of illness comes on we just get the PCR done usually results back well within the 24 hours these days and then we can present a negative result and have had no issues seeing the GP then. Even given DC history and the urgency of getting medical treatment straight away to prevent a worsening scenario they have always asked for the PCR result.
Ours definitely fit into the covid symptom bracket though with fever and coughing whereas your symptoms don't fit that criteria so they may well see you without the PCR.

Some GP’s are really shocking now. Not looking in someone’s mouth with suspected tonsillitis?! I’m glad mine are being normal. They are open, you can wait in the waiting room (limited numbers obvs), they are triaging via phone/e-consult but my children have been seen several times without a fuss and I’ve been once..

Yep - I was surprised! They also came out to the car to see her. It wasn't our usual GP as there were no appts, so we ended up at an out of hours centre.