Persistent tonsillitis

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18 year old DD has had tonsillitis since new year (6 weeks). Sore throat, high temp, spots of white pus on tonsils, glands are up + very sore, she is tired and lethargic. Strep and glandular fever tests both negative. Multiple blood tests have all come back completely normal.

She’s had 3 courses of antibiotics (penicillin, clarithromycin + co-amoxiclav). Each has had the same result of things slightly settling but as soon as she’s off them everything comes back full force. The GP is now at a loss for what to do. Last week they advised we go to A&E to potentially look at giving her IV antibiotics but they thought she was too well for them. I am thinking possibly looking into taking her to an ENT consultant? Maybe getting her tonsils removed?

Any advice/experience much appreciated!!

Tonsillitis is caused by strep as far as I know. So if strep tests coming back neg, I’d be reluctant to think it’s tonsillitis. I only know this as I’ve been in the exact same boat with my 2 year old since just before Xmas! They have not just put it down to being ‘viral’ 🤷‍♀️She also was on 3 x abx, and her wee hearing is suffering because all the wee tubes and so on are bunged up. Hope your daughter gets more answers soon - is it the same GP you’ve been seeing or different ones within the practice? If the same, maybe ask for second op? I agree, A&E doesn’t feel appropriate just yet, and I think highly unlikely to stick her on IV abx for this without further investigation…has she had bloods drawn to check her infection markers, inflammatory markers etc? CRP, ESR and white blood cells in particular?

I suffered for years with my tonsils, only had relief when on antibiotics. Problem was every time I saw a consultant they weren't bad, Sod's Law.

I ended up paying privately to see a specialist, I told him the amount of time I was taking off work and how ill I felt.

He put me on his NHS list and six weeks later I had them removed, I've never looked back and went back to normal health.

I was 33, and treated like a geriatric.

hi, wondering so if you go private you can get them out? What was the experience like? I usually get tonsillitis twice a year and I hate it and have considered so many times getting it removed but not sure what's the procedure as i'm sure NHS won't easily remove them. My younger brother had his removed as well and he feels he does so much better without them no issues.

I had my tonsils out aged 36, and it's been a complete game changer.

I saw an NHS specialist, he took one look and booked me in for 4 weeks later, his only words being "they're going to need to come out".

Recovery was BRUTAL - I wish I had had them done sooner, before they got as big, scarred and grim as they were.

I have promised myself that if DD starts to get recurrent tonsilitis I'll have them out immediately (privately) - because the misery of tonsilitis, plus the recovery from a tonsillectomy as an adult is just not worth it.

@TemporaryName123 A&E didn’t seem appropriate at all to me either but the GP insisted that they felt she needed further assessment and possibly admitted for IV Abx. In the end it was a complete waste of everyone’s time, as expected! All infective markers (CRP, WBC etc) are completely normal so that’s where the confusion is coming from. We’re on to our third GP opinion, we are lucky enough to have private insurance so will see if I can get her in with one of their GPs to hopefully shed some light. Hope your DD gets sorted as well xx

Hopeful bump!