Do doctors give you penicillin for throat infections these days?

[tanfastic]

My tonsils are hideously infected, swollen and ulcerated. Feel like shit. I get this about once a year roughly and in the past I've been given penicillin and it's got rid of it pretty quickly.

However, last time I had it I saw a different gp and he refused to give me anything and said it was viral. I just had to suffer for a week and ride it out.

I'm seriously considering a trip to the walk in centre tomorrow as I'm feeling so rough but just wondered if it's going to be a waste of time. Don't fancy two hours sitting round with a 4 year old in tow.

Do they not give you anything these days for throat infections/tonsillitis?

If its serious they will, especially if it's only one sided?

You should go, tonsillitis can be problematic of it doesn't clear up within a week.

It's not always viral, can become bacterial.

Well I've had it worse in the past when I've been in bed not being able to move but when my dh looked in my mouth today his reaction was "oh my God" so I think it must be pretty bad for a man to say that

I was prescribed anti-biotics for tonsillitis. Initially I was told I wouldn't be but after the being examined I was told it was bacterial tonsillitis (which is apparently more unusual) so needed them. The discharge weeping from them was, tmi, a greenish brown.

6 months later I had tonsillitis again but didn't get them. Same doctor. The discharge was white the second time.

I was also prescribed codeine both times which meant I could take painkillers every 2 hours. Paracetamol, Ibruprofen and codeine.

Thanks, mine are White and I've an awful taste in my mouth. Maybe it depends who you see. I'm taking ibuprofen every four hours which takes the edge off it and stops the aches.

If its one sided you definitely need to get it checked

Yes it is, what is the significance of that then?

I had it a while back and it can get very serious if not treated... You should go and get some antibiotics. Not trying to freak you out, my dad was an ENT specialist, that's the only reason I know about it.

It basically can turn into an abcess.

Ok thanks, i'll see how I feel tomorrow and make a decision

Feel worse today, really lethargic and my other tonsil is looking decidedly dodgy. Think I might brave the walk in centre. They can only say no to antibiotics can't they?

as was mentioned, depends if it's bacterial or viral - antibiotics are useless if it's viral.

Yes you should receive antibiotics for tonsillitis.

GPs should not be prescribing antibiotics for a 'sore throat' as the vast majority of these are viral and massive over prescribing has led to antibiotic resistance blah blah.

The problem is, your GP has to decide, with a quick look in your mouth, whether you have bacterial tonsillitis or a viral sore throat and the fact is they can only guess. Some doctors are always stingy with antibiotics some are over generous, most somewhere in the middle.

If your tonsil beds look inflamed and infected ie. you can see pus then antibiotics should be prescribed. If your tonsil beds look red and slightly inflamed then depending on the GP they may/may not prescribe them.

Also whether you are systemically unwell, have a temperature, fast pulse rate etc. is relevant. This gives the GP an idea how sick you are.

I personally think a GP not prescribing antibiotics to an adult with nasty tonsillitis is reckless but then I have seen someone die from it. Once you have seen that you would always act on the side of caution.

I would also want to have a GP who understood and treated my chronic conditions to my satisfaction, so maybe a change of GP?

And yes, Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice still.

Good luck.

I think that's the problem isn't it, it depends who you get. My tonsils are covered in pus so I hope they are sympathetic. I have to go to work on Thursday, I just can't be ill.

Well I've just read on the NHS website that 8 out of 10 cases of tonsillitis are viral

But when pus is visible it is usually bacterial. Quinsy - tonsil abscesses must be treated with antibiotics. Google pictures of Quinsy, is that what your throat looks like?

I don't think it's quinsy, just googled pictures and although my right tonsil is really quite big and pus covered it's not as big as some in the pictures. I've googled tonsillitis images and my throat looks like a few of those images. I should probably go and get it checked out though eh.

Update, went to walk in centre and straight away they said tonsillitis and have prescribed penicillin. Result. Thanks all

I look to get them removed, tbh.

Pleased you've got antibiotics. Last time I had tonsilitis the doctor asked me whether I wanted any penicillin as he didn't mind either way!

You said you're taking ibuprofen, remember you can also double up with a paracetamol-based painkiller if you need. And also gargling with salt water provides some temporary relief.

Hey, that's good news. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks I feel better just knowing I've got the drugs!

I had that, the gp said it was probably viral but I was very ill, I was being sick and having diareha (sp) and it was spreading to my ears.

DH had to help me climb the stairs to the consulting rooms.

Within half an hour of taking the penicillin it was like someone had doused a fire with lovely cold water. Bliss.

Drinking coffee aggravated mine big style so I gave it up.

You should feel better soon, at least you know where to go next time it happens.