Tonsillitis but how do I get antibiotics

[Hannahabbott]

I went to the gp yesterday who confirmed tonsillitis but said it was viral and I'd get over it in 5-7 days. I can't get off the settee, falling asleep regularly, agony to swallow, sore my muscles and skin, no appetite, nausea and vomiting and have to pack for holiday on Friday. I feel like death warmed up, what symptoms do I need to get antibiotics or how could gp tell it was viral???? I could of cried :(

I had this a few weeks ago it's awful (I was 35wks pregnant too). The gp sent me away with painkillers and told me to phone back for an antibiotic if no better in 3 days and rhey would prescribe over the phone for me to collect, no need for another appointment. So try phoning in a couple of days?

Failing that try an out of hours surgery?

Yeah I thought of trying out of hours tonight. I understand about not wanting to prescribe abs but this is my first encounter with tonsillitis and I'm shocked at how wiped out I am.

You need a bacterial infection for antibiotics to be of any use. The qualified Dr has said its not bacterial but viral. A virus will make you feel wiped out but antibiotics won't help and could potentially lead to problems for you such as becoming resistant.

Paracetamol, fluids and rest. Hope you feel better soon.

I understand that, but how do they know it's viral and not bacterial without taking swabs?

There are different symptoms if it's bacterial or viral, notably white spots on the tonsils (although I'm not sure which version causes the white spots, iyswim). I've had both bacterial and viral tonsillitis, both equally painful so you do have my sympathy, but if it is viral anti-b's won't help.

here you go

a high temperature
•white pus-filled spots on the tonsils
•no cough
•swollen and tender lymph nodes (glands)

All mean bacterial rather than viral.

This happened to me and I went back the GP the following day because it was agony. Turned out I had a quinsy (abscess) and had to go to hospital to have it drained.

I would go back and ask to atleast be given stronger pain killers and get them to double check for a quinsy (two GP's missed mine at first and I was literally heading out the door when the second said hang on let me the someone to check. I had very large tonsils and it was hard to spot )

Also go to pharmacy and ge hydrogen peroxide to dilute and gargle

I've definitely got white pus on both tonsils, high temp then shivering, my neck and ears are very sore and I'm drained completely. I thought the vomiting was a sign it was bad though thankfully I've eaten a bit since but not much.

Go get a second opinion then if you've got white pus.

I will and beg for abs, can't believe I have to start packing now!

HI
I sympathise. I have tonsillitis again - never had it when I was young but since having 3 kids, I get it regularly. I went to the GP today but they did prescribe antibiotics, but I got the lecture re antibiotic resistance and to allow it to settle first before cashing in the prescription. Truth is, work is piling up and I have to go on a business trip, so I have got the prescription as I've found (in my case) that it usually gets a lot worse - and I do have classic bacterial symptoms. My suggestion is to say you're going on holiday and let them know its not settling down. Alternatively (expensive) but get ask for a private prescription. Me and my son both had this in Portugal in the middle of our hols and had to go to the hospital to have antibiotics prescribed. Say that you will only get them and use just in case as you want to avoid a trip to the Drs while you're away. Make sure you have your EHICS card if going away in Europe. Good luck - enjoy the hol.

Saw gp again before holiday but he just prescribed stronger painkillers. Got on holiday and had to go to walkin centre this morning as my whole throat had swollen massively making it difficult to breath. Eventually prescribed abs and told to gargle soluble paracetemol. I have taking the first dose of abs and gargled twice and my throat is on fire, it's unbearable :(

Gargles of aspirin work better (salt water gargles also pretty good). Difflam spray is awesome - you can buy it in uk, don't know if available where you are.

You need a painkiller regimen OP. I did this for tonsillitis.

8am Paracetamol
11am ibuprofen or diclofenic
2pm dihydrocodeine
5pm paracetamol
8pm ibuprofen or diclofenic
11pm dihydrocodeine

Etc.

You need to stay on top of the pain. Phone the GP and get some decent pain relief.

See if yu can get your hands on some hydrogen peroxide. It's about 60p. Bottle in chemist over here. Dilute as suggested on bottle and gargle. Will oxidise the bacteria and get you feeling better a lot sooner than antibiotics will.

I had to have tonsils out in the end after having it so much I became resistant to the antibiotics and hydrogen peroxide saved my sanity. At least once a month I had tonsillitis and wouldn't be able to swallow my own saliva it was that painful. A pharmacist said Hydrogen Peroxide is better at clearing the infection from tonsils, easier to get hold of and can be used as soon as yu feel the initial twinges.

People are always sceptical but it really does work, it does taste foul, yu will get a fizzing as the bacteria are oxidising but this just means it is working.

Thank you all for the tips, penicillin has kicked in after three days I'm virtually pain-free and can now eat and open my mouth :)

Shame I lost the first two days of my hols because gp wouldn't prescribe.

If it took 3 days for antibiotics to kick in then it probably was viral and the illness simply ran its course.

Ah no, penicillin worked to relieve symptoms straight away but it took 3 days to be completely pain free. Definitely bacterial infection. Now have breakthrough bleeding to contend with