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Original poster

Adult Tonsillitis sos

49 replies

Orangelover · 04/11/2021 19:54

Sorry, it's another not covid-virus one.

DH started to feel rough last weekend, PCR negative. Went to work Monday thinking he was ok but developed a sore throat and came home. Just got worse and worse since. Saw GP yesterday who said viral tonsillitis, paracetamol, brufen, water and sit tight. However I can see loads of white spots round his tonsil and his throat looks literally ulcerated?

Poor bloke can hardly eat and drink, has barely eaten anything in 4 days because it's so painful to swallow. Can't get his temperature below 38 and he's been sweating and rigouring like crazy. He's not one to be ill, literally never! It's the first time I've ever known him to go to the doctors in 9 years together. He didn't even take proper painkillers for long when he broken his ankle so not usually a wimp with pain. I was thinking to start with he was being dramatic but how long do I reasonably let this go on for before he needs to see someone else?

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 04/11/2021 19:55

Ring 111. If he needs antibiotics they might even be able to fax / send a prescription through to an open pharmacy for him (they’ve done this in the same situation with my dd aged 18).

Original poster
Orangelover · 04/11/2021 19:55

Meant to also say, he's maxed out on Paracetamol and brufen. Bought two different types of throat spray but nothing has provided any relief whatsoever! Any other ideas from the wise land of Mumsnet?

OP posts:
LifeIsBusy · 04/11/2021 20:00

I had this the other week.. it was rough but it I think it was 5/6 days before it settled. I did speak to a Dr who prescribed antibiotics but informed me it would only shave off half a day on the illness. I did eventually take them as I had a really bad chest infection to it cleared that up.

He will be a few pounds lighter but he will survive.

DickMabutt73962 · 04/11/2021 20:02

Antibiotics are the only thing that help me with tonsillitis. Feel so improved within 24 hours after taking

Tomthumbsbigbum · 04/11/2021 20:02

If he's not improving I'd question whether it's viral and not actually bacterial. Sounds like strep throat. I'd definitely call the doctors in the morning.

GherkinsOnToast · 04/11/2021 20:03

Ring 111 - mine could go from sore 'viral' to oozing 'bacterial in less than 24 hours. Try gargle with aspirin, if he can take it and call 111 if its unbearable, they may be able to get someone to see him tonight.

Tomthumbsbigbum · 04/11/2021 20:05

Sounds odd but gargling with warm salty water can help.

DickMabutt73962 · 04/11/2021 20:05

Also no idea how the doctor would know it's viral unless they did a test. Every time I've had it (quite a few times) antibiotics have helped immensely, they would only do that if it's bacterial.

User134356356 · 04/11/2021 20:06

Try gargling with chlorhexidine mouthwash at the highest strength possible. I'm not sure if all versions are prescription only although some pharmacies might dispense a higher strength if you really beg them. I get tonsillitis at least once every year my entire adult life (just getting over a bout now) and it's hell. Chlorhexidine is the only thing that gives a bit of temporary relief and if the infection is bacterial then it can actually shorten it.

Instead of paracetamol, you should get Soldapeine Plus or Max which also contains codeine. That's much more effective with moderate/severe acute pain.

LapinR0se · 04/11/2021 20:07

You know what is so weird. I moved to Switzerland a few years ago and there is no illness called tonsillitis here. If you present with a very sore throat and with white spots they do a strep swab on the spot and if it’s positive you get penicillin for two weeks. Why is it so different to the uk? I never had a strep test there.
Your DH situation sounds very much like strep to me.

thisplaceisweird · 04/11/2021 20:07

He must swallow to swill the bacteria away. Some crunchy toast works a treat. It hurts but man up and do it once a day.

Vodka, swill round the back of the throat. Numbs and is anti bacterial.

Gargle with antibacterial mouthwash.

Soluble ibuprofen or paracetamol, swill around the throat before swallowing.

Sincerely, a 3 time tonsillectomy patient.

FawnFrenchieMum · 04/11/2021 20:09

Definitely go back to the GPs or call 111, they always ask my kids to wait a few days before trying anti-b’s but he shouldn’t be suffering that much. He needs to get anti-b’s. We’ve literally been today with my DS. She said if it wasn’t so close to the weekend she would have held off anti-b’s but doesn’t want to make him wait until Monday if it doesn’t improve by tomorrow so prescribed them anyway.

thisplaceisweird · 04/11/2021 20:09

@LapinR0se There's been a huge over prescription of antibiotics in the UK over the past few decades. GPs have stopped prescribing it.

PermanentlyTired03 · 04/11/2021 20:09

Sounds like infected tonsils. When I had that I was prescribed penicillin. Call 111 or try for an emergency gp appt. good luck!

3luckystars · 04/11/2021 20:10

He needs to see the doctor again today.

LapinR0se · 04/11/2021 20:11

Untreated strep can lead to rheumatic heart disease. I agree antibiotics are overprescribed HOWEVER when there is a positive strep test they are really important

Justwingingit2005 · 04/11/2021 20:11

I suffered like this for years then after having kids it just stopped..... wierd.
Anyway, my GP told me they don't giving antibiotics too early as it could be viral but if not getting better or actually worse then ring for antibiotics. If they r swelling to the point of touching each other I I thats an A and E job.

GoodnightGrandma · 04/11/2021 20:12

Ice lollies, warm blackcurrant squash, Strepsils and 111/GP.

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 04/11/2021 20:12

Having tonsillitis is the worst I've felt as an adult, I never got antibiotics as they aren't as keen to give you them for tonsillitis anymore powered through and felt better but still rough about 5 days after feeling the worst.

Agree something to gargle with
Highest painkillers possible
Sleep as much as possible

Original poster
Orangelover · 04/11/2021 20:13

Thanks all. Will ring 111 and see what they say. I understand antibiotics are used way too frequently but I definitely feel something is telling me they're needed in this case! But if there's one thing doctors hate its people telling them they need antibiotics 🤣 Will give anything a go though at this point (very lucky neither of us are ill regularly we're no good at this!)

OP posts:
ancientgran · 04/11/2021 20:15

Do be careful. My son was like this, he was 18, I took him to out of hours and was told to get him straight to A&E and they would be waiting for us. I thought that wasn't likely.

Well we got to A&E, gave his name and before I could sit down we were called through to cubicles where a doctor was ready to lance his quinsy, didn't wait for a nurse so I was holding son's hand with one hand and a bowl of something for the doctor with the other. Within half an hour he was on a ward with IV antibiotics. They said his breathing was compromised and he was a short way from it being critical. He had to have his tonsils removed.

Can he swallow his own saliva? I was told that was a good indicator.

HalloweenScrooge · 04/11/2021 20:18

Tonsillitis is really miserable and it does sound like it could be bacterial. There are a couple of scoring systems the GPs use, one is feverPAIN: ctu1.phc.ox.ac.uk/feverpain/index.php

That should give you some idea of whether he meets the criteria for antibiotics.

ancientgran · 04/11/2021 20:18

@LifeIsBusy

I had this the other week.. it was rough but it I think it was 5/6 days before it settled. I did speak to a Dr who prescribed antibiotics but informed me it would only shave off half a day on the illness. I did eventually take them as I had a really bad chest infection to it cleared that up.

He will be a few pounds lighter but he will survive.

If it has developed into a quinsy it can be fatal if untreated.
Roselilly36 · 04/11/2021 20:21

@ancientgran

Do be careful. My son was like this, he was 18, I took him to out of hours and was told to get him straight to A&E and they would be waiting for us. I thought that wasn't likely.

Well we got to A&E, gave his name and before I could sit down we were called through to cubicles where a doctor was ready to lance his quinsy, didn't wait for a nurse so I was holding son's hand with one hand and a bowl of something for the doctor with the other. Within half an hour he was on a ward with IV antibiotics. They said his breathing was compromised and he was a short way from it being critical. He had to have his tonsils removed.

Can he swallow his own saliva? I was told that was a good indicator.

Same thing happened to me, I have had two quinsy’ once as a young child and the second in my late twenties, I was very ill both times. I had my tonsils out, such a relief not to have to worry if I get a sore throat. Quinsy is a rare complication but it does happen.
Ukholidaysaregreat · 04/11/2021 20:25

I think this sounds like.it could need antibiotics. I wouldn't feel bad about harassing to get these. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Hope your other half is feeling better soon.